When Peter through the tedious night

When Peter through the tedious night
Had often cast his net in vain;
Soon as his LORD appeared in sight
He gladly let it down again.

Once more the gospel net we cast,
Do thou, O LORD, the effort own;
We learn from disappointments past,
To rest our hope on thee alone.

Upheld by thy supporting hand,
We enter on another year;
And now we meet, at thy command,
To seek thy gracious presence here.

May this be a much favored hour,
To souls in Satan's bondage led!
O clothe thy word with sovereign pow'r
To break the rocks, and raise the dead!

Have mercy on our num'rous youth,
Who young in years, are old in sin;
And by thy Spirit, and thy truth,
Show them the state their souls are in.

Then, by a Savior's dying love
To every wounded heart revealed,
Temptations, fears, and guilt remove,
And be their Sun, and Strength, and Shield.

To mourners speak a cheering word,
On seeking souls vouchsafe to shine;
Let poor backsliders be restored,
And all thy saints in praises join.

O hear our prayer and give us hope,
That when thy voice shall call us home,
Thou still wilt raise a people up,
To love and praise thee in our room.