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THY presence, gracious God, afford,
   Prepare us to receive Thy Word:
Now let Thy voice engage our ear,
And faith be mixed with what we hear.
 
Open our hearts, O Lord, and bless,
And crown Thy Gospel with success.
 
2  Distracting thoughts and cares remove,
And fix our minds and hopes above;
With food divine may we be fed,
And satisfied with living bread.
 
3  To us the sacred Word apply,
With sovereign power and energy;
So may we, moved in faith and fear,
Take to our case the things we hear;
 
4  Father, to us, Thy Son reveal,
Teach us to know and do Thy will,
Thy saving power and love display,
And guide us to the realms of day.
 
John Fawcett, 1739-1817