3 Now let our souls in thee repose
The burden of their wants and woes;
And from thy Word new power derive
To keep our feeble faith alive:
Thy blessing, Lord, we long to gain;
Let us not seek thy face in vain.

4 While here we dwell, with cares oppress'd,
Few are the hours of perfect rest;
But heaven will all our loss repair,
Each day will be a Sabbath there:
Lord, by the teaching of thy grace
Prepare us for that holy place.

SECTION IX.

PRAYER, &c.

HYMN 137.

(C. M.)

Access to God by Christ.-Eph. ii. 18.

1 BEFORE thy presence we appear,
And at thy footstool wait;
Almighty Father, deign to hear,
And open mercy's gate.

2 We come before thee in the name
Of thy beloved Son;

And confidently urge our claim,
Pleading what Christ has done.

3 Lord, for his sake thy mercy send,
And help us when we cry;
Let our imperfect prayers ascend,
And reach thy throne on high.

4 Thou knowest, Lord, our hearts' desire, Before it is express'd;

Here bid our souls to heaven aspire,
And guide us to thy rest.

HYMN 138.

(6-7's.)

Preparation for prayer.

1 HOLY Lord, our hearts prepare
For the solemn work of prayer;
Grant that when we bend the knee,
All our thoughts may turn to thee;
And thy presence may be found
Breathing peace and joy around.

2 Lord, when we approach thy throne,
Make thy power and glory known;
Thus may we be taught, to call
Humbly on the Lord of all;
And with reverence and fear
At thy footstool to appear.

3 Teach us, as we breathe our woes,
On thy promise to repose;
All thy tender love to trace
In the Saviour's work of grace;
And with confidence depend
On a gracious God and Friend.

HYMN 139.

(L. M.)

God's presence in his temple.

1 WHAT will these sacred walls avail, Unless thy presence, Lord, be here? Bereft of thee, our prayers must fail To bring refreshing comforts near.

2 Vain is the costly pride of art

To decorate thy house of prayer;

Except thy grace adorn the heart,
We find no real beauty there.

3 How did thy temple, Lord, of old
Once shine with living glory bright!
But all was desolate and cold,

When guardian Spirits took their flight.

4 O do not thus forsake the place
Where we assemble in thy name;
Here show the brightness of thy face,
Here all thy power and love proclaim.
5 Here may our hearts within us burn
Thy truth and loveliness to see;
And grant, when homewards we return,
That we may still converse with thee.

HYMN 140.

(s. M.)

For a blessing on prayer.

1 WHEN we draw nigh to thee

2

Within thy house of

prayer,

Grant, heavenly Lord, that we may see
Thy presence shining there.

Stir up our hearts to feel

The sins that we deplore;

Confirm our hope, inflame our zeal,

And make us love thee more.

3 Let the refreshing view

Of mercy cheer our eyes;

And faith with steadier pace pursue
Her progress to the skies.

4 O may we still delight -
To worship at thy feet,

Till heaven be open'd to our sight,
And make our joy complete.

HYMN 141.

(C. M.)

"Whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." -Matt. xxi. 22.

1 THOU art more ready, Lord, to hear,
Than sinners are to pray;
When empty souls to thee draw near,
Thou wilt not turn away.

2 Thou hast abundant grace in store
For such as humbly seek;

Thy gracious hand relieves the poor,
And fortifies the weak.

3 While pride is answer'd with a frown,
And sinks to deeper woe;

Faith brings the copious blessing down,
And makes the fountain flow.

4 O Lord, may we this mercy share,
That when we breathe our sighs,
True faith may animate our prayer,
And waft it to the skies,

Invitation to worship.-Isa. ii. 3, &c.

1 BRETHREN, let us haste to go Up to Zion's sacred walls; How can we be faint or slow,

When our heavenly Father calls?