A Prayer For Mr. Samuel Prichard, Poem by Rees Prichard

O God, by whom all good is given!
Thou Sire of light! thou King of heaven
Behold, and list to my request,
However young, weak, and distrest!

Upon my knees I now presume
Before thy throne, my King! to come -
An humble suit, to thee, to make;
Refuse me not, for Jesu's sake:

To ask - thou gavest me command,
And promised'st that, at thy hand,
Whate'er I ask'd I shou'd obtain :-
I ask - let me not ask in vain!

King Solomon, with knowledge blest,
To thee for wisdom made request,
Thou gavest him what he desir'd,
Nay, more by far than he requir'd.

The patriarch Jacob on his way,
For food and clothes alone did pray ;
Thou gavest what He ask'd, and more
By far than he petition'd for.

I also, my Creator dear!
Upon my bended knees draw near,
And for a boon to thee apply :
For Jesu's sake, do not deny!

I ask no wealth, nor worldly store -
I ask not pleasures, pomp, or pow'r -
I only ask thy grace - and might,
To serve and worship thee aright.

Then give me grace and give me pow'r,
That I may thee, while young, adore,
And with true faith and heart sincere,
May in thy doctrines persevere!

Permit me not in idleness
To spend my days, or in excess,
But cause me, in life's earliest stage,
Lord! in thy service to engage.

Open thy treasures, and impart
Thy grace to me, and teach my heart,
To know thee in my tender years,
Like Daniel, and his young compeers.

As Jeremiah, in his youth,
Did worship thee, his God, in truth -
Give grace like him, my God! to me,
Whilst young, in truth to worship thee.

I offer up myself to thee,
Now in my youth, accept of me,
And grant that I, in ev'ry stage,
May in thy service still engage.

Thou to thy service didst admit
The prophet Samuel, as yet
A boy, and still so very young,
That he cou'd hardly walk along.

Admit me also, I implore -
That I may thee, whilst young, adore,
And so reveal to me thy will,
That I may rightly it fulfil.

Equip me, O my God! aright,
With ev'ry gift that's rquisite,
For one, who chuses still to be
A constant votary to thee.

Open my understanding's eyes,
And make me in thy knowledge wise,
That I the mysteries may know,
Which from the law, and gospel flow.

Now, in my youth, a spark impart
Of thy true grace unto my heart,
That it with ardent zeal may flame
For the Almighty's sacred name.

Touch thou, O Lord! my lips and tongue
With that live coal, whilst I am young,
Which from thy holy altar fell,
That I thy praise aloud may tell!

Enable me, my gracious Lord!
To learn and so digest thy word,
That I may coprehend aright
What for my peace is requisite.

To all thy people let me be,
A pattern of true piety,
And let me ever spend my days
In things, that tend unto thy praise.

This is the only suit I make,
Do not refuse, for Jesu's sake,
Me grace, my Maker to adore:
'Tis the only boon that I implore!

O let me not mis-spend my time
In any sin, or heinous crime -
But let me spend it in such ways,
As tend to manifest thy praise!

Upon my works, thy blessing pour,
Increase my knowledge ev'ry hour,
Give me true wisdom to discern,
And to remember, what I learn.

Let me be guarded by thy eyes -
Let me be shielded from surprize -
Let thy blest Spirit me direct -
And let thy providence protect.

All honour be, my King, to thee,
Both night and day! - and grace, to me!
True glory be for ever more
Unto the Lord whom I adore!