Things Needful

Thou Eternal Source,

Author of all created being and happiness
   I adore you for making man capable of faith,
   that he may be taught to say:
      "Where is God, my Maker, who gives
         songs in the night?"
But depravity has spread over our human race,
   turning glory into shame,
   making us forgetful of you.
We know it is your power alone
   that can recall wandering children,
   can impress on them a sense of divine things,
   and can render that sense lasting and effectual;
From you proceed all good purposes and desires

   and the spreading of holiness and happiness.

You have knowledge of my soul's secret ways,
   and are aware of my desire to spread the gospel.
Make me an philanthropist to give your
   bounties to the impoverished,
   comfort to the mentally ill,
   restoration to the sin-diseased,
   hope to the despairing,
   joy to the sorrowing,
   love to the prodigals.
Blow away the ashes of unbelief by your Spirit's breath
   and give me light, fire, and warmth of love.
I need spiritual comforts
   that are gentle, peaceful, mild, refreshing,
   that will melt me into conscious lowliness before you,
   that will make me feel and rest in you
      as my All.

Fill the garden of my soul with the wind of love,
   that the aroma of the Christian life may be
      wafted to others;
   then come and gather fruits to thy glory.
So shall I fulfil the great end of my being -
   to glorify you and be a blessing to men.

Service and Provision

O God of my end,

You have given me a fierce resolve

   to go forth and spend my life for you;

If it be your will let me proceed in it;

   if not, then take away my intentions

All I want in life is such circumstances

   as may best enable me to serve you in the world;

To this end I leave all my concerns in your hand

   but let me not be discouraged,

      for this hinders my spiritual fervency;

Enable me to undertake some task for you,

   for this refreshes and animates my soul,

      so that I can endure all hardships and labors,

      and willingly suffer for your name.

But, O what a death it isto strive and labor,

   to be always in a hurry and yet do nothing!

Alas, time flies and I am of little use.

O that I could be a flame of fire in your service,

   always burning on in one continual blaze.

Equip me for singular usefulness in this world.

Equip me to exult in distresses of every kind

   if they but promote the advancement of your kingdom

Equip me to give up all hopes of the world's friendship,

   and give me a deeper sense of my sinfulness.

Equip me to accept from you as a friendly foe

   any trial that may befall me.

Equip me to be totally resigned to the denial

   of earthly pleasures I desire,

   and to be content to spend my time with you.

Equip me to pray with a sense of the joy of divine communion,

   to find all times happy seasons to my soul,

   to see my own nothingness,

   and wonder that I am allowed to serve you.

Equip me to enter the blessed world 

      where no unclean thing is,

   and to know you with me always.

God's Cause

Your cause, not my own, engages my heart,
   and I appeal to you with greatest freedom
   to set up your kingdom in every place
      where Satan reigns;
Glorify yourself and I will rejoice,
   for to bring honor to your name is my sole desire.
I adore you that you are God,
   and I long that others should know it, feel it, and rejoice it.
O that all men might love and praise you,
   that you might have all glory
      from the world of mankind!
Let sinners be brought to you for your dear name!
To the eye of reason everything regarding
   the conversion of others is as dark as midnight,
But you can accomplish great things;
   the cause is yours,
   and it is to your glory that men should be saved.
Lord, use me as you will
   do with me what you will
      but, O, advance your cause,
   let your kingdom come,
   let your blessed cause be advanced
      in this world!
O do gather great numbers to Jesus!
   let me see that glorious day,
   and help me to seek for multitudes of souls;
   let me be willing to die to that end;
   and while I live let me labor for you
      to the utmost of my strength,
      spending time profitably in this work,
      both in health and in weakness.
It is your cause and kingdom that I long for,
      not my own.

O, please grant my request!