THY presence, gracious God, afford, Prepare us to receive Thy Word: Now let Thy voice engage our ear, And faith be mixed with what we hear.
Open our hearts, O Lord, and bless, And crown Thy Gospel with success.
Distracting thoughts and cares remove, And fix our minds and hopes above; With food divine may we be fed, And satisfied with living bread.
To us the sacred Word apply, With sovereign power and energy; So may we, moved in faith and fear, Take to our case the things we hear;
Father, to us, Thy Son reveal, Teach us to know and do Thy will, Thy saving power and love display, And guide us to the realms of day.
John Fawcett, 1739-1817