Confession and Prayer for Church and Nation
J. Newton L.M.
1
O may the power which melts the rock
Be felt by all assembled here!
Or else our service will but mock
The God whom we profess to fear!
2
Lord, while thy judgments shake the land,
Thy people’s eyes are fixed on thee;
We own thy just uplifted hand,
Which thousands cannot, will not, see.
3
How long hast thou bestowed thy care
On this indulged, ungrateful spot!
While other nations, far and near,
Have envied and admired our lot.
4
Here peace and liberty have dwelt,
The glorious gospel brightly shone;
And oft our enemies have felt
That God has made our cause his own.
5
But ah! both heaven and earth have heard
Our vile requital of his love;
We, whom like children he has reared,
Rebels against his goodness prove.
6
His grace despised, his power defied,
And legions of the blackest crimes,
Profaneness, riot, lust, and pride
Are signs that mark the present times.
7
The Lord, displeased, has raised his rod;
Ah! where are now the faithful few
Who tremble for the Ark of God,
And know what Israel ought to do?
8
Lord, hear thy people everywhere,
Who meet to mourn, confess, and pray;
The nation and thy churches spare,
And let thy wrath be turned away.
