A Prayer for Daily Strength

Today, dear Lord, Thy strength bestow,
For I am weak and full of sin.
Subdue my pride; rein in my lusts,
And mold my will till it is Thine.

Today, dear Lord, forgiveness grant,
For I Thy Law have oft disdained.
Ashamed, I venture near the throne,
And kneeling, beg for grace again.

Today, dear Lord, deliver me
And save me from the tempter's lure.
For ev'ry trial that I meet
Please give me power to endure.

Today, dear Lord, Thy favor show
And satisfy my ev'ry need.
And grant that I may prove to all
Thy love, with loving word and deed.

Today, dear Lord, Thy truth impart,
For Thou alone art wholly true.
Remove all falseness from my heart
And teach me what is right anew.

—20 June 2010. To “Hesperus (Quebec)” or “Tallis' Canon.”

May the Mind of Christ, the Humble

May the mind of Christ, the humble,
Teach me servitude afresh.
He, though God, Himself did empty,
Taking human flesh.

May the will of Christ, submissive,
Supersede and swallow mine.
He, though anguished, prayed the Father,
“Not my will but Thine.”

May the death of Christ, the lowly,
Keep my soul in awe employed.
He endured that earthly shaming
For His Heav'nly joy.

May the life of Christ, the risen,
Make me live, though I should die.
Raised in glory, now He sitteth
At the Father's side.

May the hope of Christ's returning
Spur me on to do His Will,
That, when He shall judge the nations,
I'll be faithful still.

—6-7 June 2010. To “St Leonards” (“May the mind of Christ, my Savior”).