THY PRESENCE, gracious God, afford

1THY 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.

2Distracting thoughts and cares remove,
And fix our hearts on things above;
With food divine may we be fed,
And satisfied with living bread.

3To each thy sacred word apply
With sovereign power and energy,
And may thy faith and love and fear
Reduce to practice what we hear.

4Father, in 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.