Father of Mercies, Bow Thine Ear

Father of mer­cies

bow Thine ear

Attentive to our ear­nest pray­er;

We plead for those who plead for Thee;

Successful plead­ers may they be!

How great their work

how vast their charge

Do Thou their an­xious souls en­large:

Their best ac­quirem­ents are our gain

We share the bless­ings they ob­tain.

Clothe Thou with en­er­gy di­vine

Their words

and let their words be Thine;

To them Thy sac­red truth re­veal

Suppress their fear

in­flame their zeal.

Teach them aright to sow the seed;

Teach them Thy chos­en flock to feed;

Teach them im­mor­tal souls to gain

Nor let them la­bor

Lord

in vain.

Let throng­ing mul­ti­tudes around

Hear from their lips the joy­ful sound;

In hum­ble strains Thy grace adore

And feel Thy new-cre­at­ing pow­er.

Let sin­ners break their mas­sy chains

Distressèd souls for­get their pains;

And light thro’ dist­ant realms be spread

Till Zi­on rears her droop­ing head.