Above:  The Chapel, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Covington, Georgia, May 7, 2017

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (1969), Moravian Church in America

Text (1819) by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

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The Lord is my Shepherd; no want shall I know;

I feed in green pastures, safe folded I rest;

He leadeth my soul where the still waters flow,

Restores me when wandering, redeems when oppressed.

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Through the valley and shadow of death though I stray,

Since Thou art my Guardian, no evil I fear,

Thy rod shall defend me, Thy staff be my stay,

No harm can befall with my Comforter near.

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In the midst of affliction my table is spread!

With blessings unmeasured my cup runneth o’er;

With perfume and oil Thou anointest my head;

O what shall I ask of Thy providence more?

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Let goodness and mercy, my bountiful God,

Still follow my steps till I meet Thee above,

I seek, by the path my forefathers trod

Through the land of their sojourn Thy kingdom of love.

Above:  The High Altar, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Covington, Georgia, May 7, 2017

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) (1923), Moravian Church in America

Text by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

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Our heavenly Father, hear

The prayer we offer now;

Thy Name be hallowed far and near,

To Thee all nations bow.

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Thy kingdom come; Thy will

On earth be done in love,

As saints and seraphim fulfill

Thy perfect law above.

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Our daily bread supply,

While by Thy Word we live;

The guilt of our iniquity

Forgive us, as we forgive.

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From dark temptation’s power,

From Satan’s wiles defend;

Deliver in the evil hour,

And guide us to the end.

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Thine, then, for ever be

Glory and power divine;

The scepter, throne and majesty

Of heaven and earth are Thine.

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Thus humbly taught to pray,

By Thy beloved Son,

Through Him we come  to Thee, and say

All for His sake be done.

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This is post #1850 of GATHERED PRAYERS.

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Above:  The High Altar, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia, May 14, 2017

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Text (1819) by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (1969), Moravian Church in America

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Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,

Unuttered or expressed,

The motion of a hidden fire

That trembles in the breast.

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Prayer is the burden of a sigh,

The falling of a tear,

The upward glancing of an eyes,

When none but God is near.

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Prayer is the simplest form of speech

That infant lips can try;

Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach

The Majesty on high.

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Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath;

The Christian’s native air,

His watchword at the gates of death;

He enters heaven with prayer.

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Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,

Returning from his ways;

While angels in their songs rejoice

And cry, “Behold, he prays!”

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O Thou by Whom we come to God,

The Life, the Truth, the Way!

The path of prayer Thyself hast trod;

Lord, teach us how to pray.

Above:  The High Altar, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Text (1818) by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (1969), Moravian Church in America

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Lord, teach us how to pray aright,

With reverence and with fear;

Though dust and ashes in Thy sight,

We may, we must draw near.

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God of all grace, we come to Thee

With broken, contrite hearts;

Give what Thine eye delights to see,

Truth in the inward parts.

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Give deep humility; the sense

Of godly sorrow give;

A strong, desiring confidence

To hear Thy voice and live;

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Faith in the only sacrifice

That can for sin atone,

To cast our hopes, to fix our eyes

On Christ, on Christ alone;

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Patience to watch, and wait, and weep,

Though mercy long delay;

Courage our fainting souls to keep,

And trust Thee though Thou slay;

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Give these, and then Thy will be done;

Thus strengthened with all might,

We, by Thy Spirit and Thy Son,

Shall pray and pray  aright.

Above:  The High Altar, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Decatur, Georgia, June 11, 2017

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Text (1825) by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (1969), Moravian Church in America

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Almighty God, in humble prayer

To Thee our souls we lift;

Be Thou our waiting minds prepare

For Thy most needful gift.

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We ask not golden streams of wealth

Along our path to flow;

We ask not undecaying health,

Nor length of years below;

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We ask not honors, which an hour

May bring and take away;

We ask not pleasure, pomp, and power,

Lest we should go astray.

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We ask not for wisdom:  Lord, impart

The knowledge how to live;

A wise and understanding heart

To all before Thee give.

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The young remember Thee in youth

Before the evil day!

The old be guided by Thy truth

In wisdom’s pleasant way!

Above:  Donations for Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Decatur, Georgia, June 11, 2017

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Text (1812) by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) (1923), Moravian Church in America

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Jesus, our best beloved Friend,

Draw out our souls in pure desire;

Jesus, in love to us descend,

Baptize us with Thy Spirit’s fire.

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On Thy redeeming Name we call,

Poor and unworthy though we be;

Pardon and sanctify us all;

Let each Thy full salvation see.

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Our souls and bodies we resign,

To fear and follow Thy commands;

O take our hearts, our hearts are Thine,

Accept the service of our hands.

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Firm, faithful, watching unto prayer;

May we Thy blessed will obey;

Toil in Thy vineyard here, and bear

The heat and burden of the day.

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Yet, Lord, for us a resting-place

In heaven, at Thy right hand prepare;

And till we see Thee face to face,

Be all or conversation there.

Above:  Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, May 7, 2017

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Text (1824) by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (1969), Moravian Church in America

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To Thy temple I repair,

Lord, I love to worship there,

When, within the veil,

I meet Christ before the mercy-seat.

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While Thy glorious praise is sung,

Touch my lips, unloose my tongue

That my joyful soul may bless

Thee, the Lord, my Righteousness.

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While the prayers of saints ascend,

God of love, to mine attend;

Hear me, for Thy Spirit pleads;

Hear, for Jesus intercedes.

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While Thy ministers proclaim

Peace and pardon in Thy Name,

Through their voice, by faith, may I

Hear Thee speaking from the sky.

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From Thy house, when I return,

May my heart within me burn;

And at evening let me say,

“I have walked with God today.”

Above:  St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Milledgeville, Georgia, May 7, 2017

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Text (1833) by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (1969), Moravian Church in America

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God is in His holy temple;

All the earth keep silence here!

Worship Him in truth and spirit,

Reverence Him with godly fear!

Holy, holy,

Lord of hosts, our Lord, appear.

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God in Christ reveals His presence,

Throned upon the mercy-seat;

Saints, rejoice; and sinners, tremble;

Each prepare his God to meet;

Lowly, lowly,

Bow adoring at His feet.

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Hail Him here with songs of praises;

Him with prayers of faith surround;

Hearken to His glorious Gospel,

While the preacher’s lips expound;

Blessed, blessed,

They who know the joyful sound!

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Though the heaven and heaven of heavens,

O Thou Great Unsearchable,

Are too mean to comprehend Thee,

Thou with man art pleased to dwell;

Welcome, welcome,

God with us, Immanuel!

Above:  All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia, May 14, 2017

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Text by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) (1923), Moravian Church in America

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Command Thy blessing from above,

O God, on all assembled here;

Behold us with a Father’s love,

While we look up with filial fear.

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Command Thy blessing, Jesus, Lord,

May we Thy true disciples be,

Speak to each heart Thy mighty word:

Say to the weakest, Follow Me.

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Command Thy blessing in this hour,

Spirit of truth, and fill this place

With wounding and with healing power,

With quickening and confirming grace.

Above:  World Map, 1847

Image in the Public Domain

Text (1823) by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Hymn Source = Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) (1923), Moravian Church in America

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O Spirit of the living God,

In all Thy plentitude of grace,

Where’er the foot of man hath trod,

Descend on our apostate race.

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Give tongues of fire and hearts of love,

To preach the reconciling word;

Give power and unction from above,

Where’er the joyful sound is heard.

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Be darkness, at Thy coming, light;

Confusion, order in Thy path;

Souls without strength inspire with might;

Bid mercy triumph over wrath.

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O Spirit of the Lord, prepare

All the round earth her God to meet;

Breather Thou abroad like morning air,

Till hearts of stone begin to heat.

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Baptize the nations; far and nigh

The triumphs of the Cross record;

The name of Jesus glorify,

Till every kindred call Him Lord.