John Wright Follette
(1884-1966)
O Lord, I pray that through this coming year
Our fellowship may deep and richer be;
That I may recognize Thy presence near,
And turn as to a friend, my Lord, to Thee.
Walk with me, then, and guide me with Thy eye –
I dare not trust myself to move one pace.
I know not what ahead of me may lie
Of joy or sorrow; yet whate’er the case,
One thing I know, that Thou art near my side,
And knowest well my weakness and my frame.
Thou needed strength wilt give, if I abide
In Thee, and in the strength of Thy dear Name.
I ask Thee not to give me joy, aside
From that which comes from doing Thine own will.
To know Thy thought and purpose, naught beside,
Except that Thou wilt them in me fulfill.
O, help me not to fail Thee, Lord, in this,
But with Thy grace and strength, O keep me true.
Forbid that in Thy thought for me I miss,
But help me trust in Thee to bring me through.
Afresh I offer up to Thee my life,
To use me as Thou wilt or set aside;
To manifest Thyself in open joy and light,
Or in some hidden corner there to hide –
It matters not to me, if only Thou
Wilt make my foolish heart what Thou dost choose,
And daily yielding to Thee, teach me how
To gain more of Thy life, and mine to lose.
Live out Thy life through me, and let there flow
Such streams from Thee, my Head, that naught can stem
The currents of Thy life – e’en here below.
These things I ask in Thy dear Name. Amen.
