Scripture Verse

Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Introduction

portrait
John Newton (1725–1807)

Words: John New­ton, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­iv­er, 1779), Book 2, num­ber 43: On op­en­ing a place for so­cial pray­er. This hymn is some­times pub­lished with the first stan­za (and oth­ers) omit­ted, or the first and se­cond stan­zas re­versed.

Music: So­mer­set Will­iam H. Hew­lett (1873–1940) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

Lyrics

O Lord, our languid souls inspire,
For here, we trust, Thou art!
Send down a coal of heav’nly fire,
To warm each waiting heart.

Dear Shepherd of Thy people, hear,
Thy presence now display;
As Thou hast giv’n a place for prayer,
So give us hearts to pray.

Show us some token of Thy love,
Our fainting hope to raise;
And pour Thy blessings from above,
That we may render praise.

Within these walls let holy peace
And love and concord dwell;
Here give the troubled conscience ease,
The wounded spirit heal.

The feeling heart, the melting eye,
The humble mind bestow;
And shine upon us from on high,
To make our graces grow!

May we in faith receive Thy Word,
In faith present our prayers;
And, in the presence of our Lord,
Unbosom all our cares.

And may the Gos­pel’s joyful sound
Enforced by mighty grace,
Awaken many sinners round,
To come and fill the place.

illustration
The Shepherd
Julien Dupré (1851–1910)