“Jesus, With Thy Church Abide”
Jesus, with thy church abide;
be her Savior, Lord, and Guide,
while on earth her faith is tried:
we beseech thee, hear us.
Keep her life and doctrine pure;
grant her patience to endure,
trusting in thy promise sure:
we beseech thee, hear us.
May she one in doctrine be,
one in truth and charity,
winning all to faith in thee:
we beseech thee, hear us.
May she guide the poor and blind,
seek the lost until she find,
and the broken-hearted bind:
we beseech thee, hear us.
Judge her not for work undone,
judge her not for fields unwon,
bless her work in thee begun:
we beseech thee, hear us.
Save her love from growing cold,
make her watchmen strong and bold,
fence her round, thy peaceful fold:
we beseech thee, hear us.
May her lamp of truth be bright,
bid her bear aloft its light
through the realms of heathen night:
we beseech thee, hear us.
Arm her soldiers with the cross,
brave to suffer toil or loss,
counting earthly gain but dross:
we beseech thee, hear us.
May she holy triumphs win,
overthrow the hosts of sin,
gather all the nations in:
we beseech thee, hear us.
~ lyrics by Thomas Benson Pollock
~ artwork source unknown
