He arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luke 15:20
Words: Lucy E. Whitmore, Family Prayers for Every Day in the Week 1824.
Music: Longwood (Barnby) Joseph Barnby, 1872 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Whitmore (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Father, again in Jesus’ name we meet,
And bow in penitence beneath Your feet;
Again to You our feeble voices raise,
To sue for mercy, and to sing Your praise.
O we would bless You for Your ceaseless care,
And all Your works from day to day declare;
Is not our life with hourly mercies crowned?
Does not Your arm encircle us around?
Alas, unworthy of Your boundless love,
Too oft with careless feet from You we rove;
But now, encouraged by Your voice, we come,
Returning sinners to a Father’s home.
O by that name in whom all fullness dwells,
O by that love which every love excels,
O by that blood so freely shed for sin,
Open blest mercy’s gate and take us in.