454    112th     J. Fawcett
Before Sermon. Isa. 55. 11; 2 Thess. 3. 1

1 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;
  Thus, Lord, thy waiting servants bless,
  And crown thy gospel with success.

2 [Distracting thoughts and cares remove,
  And fix our hearts and hopes above;
  With food divine may we be fed,
  And satisfied with living bread.
  Thus, Lord, thy waiting servants bless,
  And crown thy gospel with success.]

3 To us the sacred word apply,
  With sovereign power and energy;
  And may we, in thy faith and fear,
  Reduce to practice what we hear.
  Thus, Lord, thy waiting servants bless,
  And crown thy gospel with success.

4 Father, in 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.
  Thus, Lord, thy waiting servants bless,
  And crown thy gospel with success.