Vocation

HEAVENLY FATHER,

Thou hast placed me in the church
      which thy Son purchased by his own blood.
Add grace to grace that I may live worthy
    of my vocation.

I am a voyager across life’s ocean;
Safe in heaven’s ark, may I pass through
    a troubled world
  into the harbour of eternal rest.

I am a tree of the vineyard thou hast planted.
Grant me not to be barren, with worthless
    leaves and wild grapes;
Prune me of useless branches;
Water me with dews of blessing.
I am part of the Lamb’s bride, the church.
Help me to be true, faithful, chaste, loving,
    pure, devoted;
Let no strong affection wantonly dally
    with the world.
May I live high above a love of things temporal,
  sanctified, cleansed, unblemished, hallowed
    by grace,
  thy love my fullness,
  thy glory my joy,
  thy precepts my pathway,
  thy cross my resting place.
My heart is not always a flame of adoring love,
But, resting in thy Son’s redemption,
I look forward to the days of heaven,
  where no langour shall oppress,
    no iniquities chill,
    no mists of unbelief dim the eye,
    no zeal ever tires.
Father, these thoughts are the stay, prop,
    and comfort of my soul.