Thy presence, gracious God, afford;
Prepare us to receive thy word;
Now let thy voice engage our ear;
Lord, speak, and let thy servant hear.
Distracting thoughts and cares remove,
And fix our hearts and hopes above;
With heav'nly truth may we be fed,
And satisfied with living bread.
To us the sacred word apply,
And may it give new energy;
O! may we, in thy faith and fear,
Be profited by what we hear.
Father, in us thyself reveal;
Help us to learn and do thy will;
Thy heav'nly grace in us display,
And guide us to the realms of day.