Scripture Verse

A vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. Acts 16:9

Introduction

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E. Anne Ortlund
1923–2013

Words: E. Anne Ort­lund, 1966.

Music: All Saints Hen­ry S. Cut­ler, in The Hym­nal with Tunes Old and New, by John I. Tuck­er, 1872 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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Henry S. Cutler (1825–1902)

Lyrics

The vi­sion of a dying world
Is vast be­fore our eyes;
We feel the heart­beat of its need,
We hear its fee­ble cries:
Lord Je­sus Christ, re­vive Thy Church
In this, her cru­cial hour!
Lord Je­sus Christ, awake Thy Church
With Spi­rit-giv­en pow­er.

The sa­vage hugs his god of stone
And fears des­cent of night;
The city dwell­er cring­es lone
Amid the gar­ish light:
Lord Je­sus Christ, arouse Thy Church
To see their mute dis­tress!
Lord Je­sus Christ, equip Thy Church
With love and ten­der­ness.

Today, as un­der­stand­ing’s bounds
Are stretched on ev­ery hand,
Oh, clothe Thy Word in bright, new sounds,
And speed it o’er the land;
Lord Je­sus Christ, em­pow­er us
To preach by ev­ery means!
Lord Je­sus Christ, em­bold­en us
In near and dist­ant scenes.

The warn­ing bell of judg­ment tolls,
Above us looms the cross;
Around are ev­er-dy­ing souls—
How great, how great the loss!
O Lord, con­strain and move Thy Church
The glad news to im­part!
And Lord, as Thou dost stir Thy Church,
Begin with­in my heart.