Prayer for a Blessing

“Prayer for a Blessing,” by John Newton, the first of 13 hymns for singing “Before Annual Sermons to Young People, on New Years’ Evenings” (Olney Hymns, Book ii., No. 7, 1779).

1. Now, gracious Lord, thine arm reveal,
And make thy glory known;
Now let us all thy presence feel,
And soften hearts of stone!

2. Help us to venture near thy throne,
And plead a Savior’s name;
For all that we can call our own,
Is vanity and shame.

3. From all the guilt of former sin
May mercy set us free;
And let the year we now begin,
Begin and end with thee.

4. Send down thy spirit from above,
That saints may love thee more;
And sinners now may learn to love
Who never loved before.

5. And when before thee we appear
In our eternal home;
May growing numbers worship here,
And praise thee in our room.