Scripture Verse

Turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. Joel 2:12

Introduction

illustration
An Angel Awakens the Prophet Elijah
Juan Frias y Escalante
1633–1670

Words: Gre­go­ry I (540–604) (Clar­um de­cus je­ju­nii). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Hen­ry W. Bak­er, 1875.

Music: Je­ju­nia John Stain­er, in Hymns An­cient and Mo­dern, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

portrait
John Stainer
1840–1901

Lyrics

Good it is to keep the fast,
Shadowed forth in ages past,
Which our own almighty Lord
Hallowed by His deed and Word.

Moses, while he fasted, saw
God who gave by him the law;
To Elijah angels came,
Steeds of fire and car of flame.

So was Daniel meet to gaze
On the sight of latter days
And the Baptist to proclaim
Blessings through the Bridegroom’s name.

Grant us, Lord, like them to be
Oft in prayer and fast with Thee;
Fill us with Thy heavenly might,
Be our joy and true delight.

Father, hear us through Thy Son,
And the Spirit, with Thee One,
Whom our thankful hearts adore,
Ever and forevermore.