After Prayer

O God of grace,

I mourn over my cold, lifeless, heartless prayers;
   their poverty adds sin to sin.
If my hope were in them I would be undone,
But the worth of Jesus perfumes my feeble breathings, and wins their acceptance.
Deepen my heart of repentence,
Confirm my faith in the blood that washes from all sin.
May I walk lovingly with my great Redeemer.
Flood my soul with true repentence
   that my heart may be broken for sin and unto sin.
Let me be as slow to give my sin a pass
   as you are ready to forgive me.
Gazing on the glories of your grace
   may I be cast into the lowest depths of shame,
   and walk with downcast head
   now that your anger towards me has been removed.
O my great High Priest,
   pour down upon me streams of needed grace,
   bless me in all my undertakings,
      in every thought of my mind,
      every word of my lips,
      every step of my feet,
      every deed of my hands.
You lived to bless,
   died to bless,
   rose to bless,
   ascended to bless,
   took your throne to bless,
   and now you reign to bless.
O give sincerity to my desires,
   earnestness to my supplications,
   and fervor to my love.