eHymns.org

Christoph Karl Ludwig von Pfeil

Johannes Rosenmuller

Alvin (Bud) Herman Manz in 2024

Pray, O Church, be sanctified
With the holy ointment!
Jesus' Spirit be applied
In thy soul's appointment!
Be therefore, Evermore,
Pray'r and fervent pleading
From thy lips proceeding!

Consecrate thy offering
And thy spirit's longing
Unto Him, whose suffering
Draws thee to Him strongly!
Sweet incense Be it hence,
That to God's throne soareth,
When thy heart imploreth!

This assembly's ardent pray'r
And its meek petition
Will upon God's altar there
Find due recognition.
God advised Jesus Christ,
Priest and intercessor,
For each true confessor.

God thus hears most graciously
All the prayers we offer;
And the angels glad will be
Worship there to proffer
To the Lord, In accord
With us poor and lowly,
To God, high and holy.

All the incense of the saints
Must produce great favor;
On the coals we lay our grains
Unto a sweet savor.
Then it may Melt this day
All our minds together
In love's flame forever!

If a single fervent pray'r
Of a soul prevailing
On the tender heart of God
Brings its fruit unfailing,
How much more Is in store,
When whole congregations
Bring their supplications?

When the righteous, there and here,
Great and small invited,
Angels, mankind, all sincere,
All in pray'r united,
It will blend And ascend
To the regions o'er us;
What a mighty chorus!

Draw in spirit ever nigh;
Pray within your chambers;
Lifting holy hands on high,
Holy keep your members.
Holy be Ev'ry plea
That to God is springing,
Strength and blessing bringing!

O the strength and might unknown
Of the Christians' praying!
Without this could not be done
All they are essaying;
Thus alone There is won
Vict'ry o'er deceivers,
Triumph for believers!

But this longing must at first
In thy soul be gleaming;
Then from out your pray'rs will burst
Thunder, lightning streaming.
They are sent With intent
That your foes shall tremble,
When God's hosts assemble.

All your prayers that now aspire
To your God in heaven
Should thus be an holy fire
On His altar given.
Worldly fire, False desire,
Should not then be blended
With what hath ascended.

Pray ye that time's latter end
Quickly may be nearing,
That our Lord may soon descend
For His great appearing.
Come then all, Great and small,
Join the angels' yearning
For our Lord's returning!

Prayers from inmost depth of heart
Find the Master's favor,
And the Christian's highest art
Is to please the Saviour.
So should we Watchful be,
Waiting, hoping, longing
For His second coming.