A Prayer For Ministers

Verse 1

Father of mercies, bow Thine ear, Attentive to our earnest prayer: We plead for those who plead for Thee; Successful pleaders may they be!

Verse 2

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.

Verse 3

Clothe, then with energy divine Their words, and let their words be Thine; To them Thy sacred truth reveal, Suppress their fear, inflame their zeal.

Verse 4

Teach them to sow the precious seed; Teach them Thy chosen flock to feed; Teach them immortal souls to gain, Souls that will well reward their pain.

Verse 5

Let thronging multitudes around Hear from their lips the joyful sound; In humble strains Thy grace implore, And feel Thy new-creating power.

Verse 6

Let sinners break their massy chains, Distressèd souls forget their pains; Let light through distant realms be spread, And Sion rear her drooping head.