Dawn returns, but without thy light within

           no outward light can profit;

Give me the saving lamp of thy Spirit that I may

     see thee,

   the God of my salvation, the delight of my soul,

   rejoicing over me in love.

I commend my heart to thy watchful care,

   for I know its treachery and power;

Guard its every portal from the wily enemy,

Give me quick discernment of his deadly arts,

Help me to recognize his bold disguise as an

     angel of light,

   and bid him begone.

May my words and works allure others to the

     highest walks of faith and love!

May loiterers be quickened to greater diligence

     by my example!

May worldlings be won to delight in acquaintance

     with thee!

May the timid and irresolute be warned

   of coming doom by my zeal for Jesus!

Cause me to be a mirror of thy grace,

   to show others the joy of thy service,

May my lips be well-tuned cymbals

   sounding thy praise,

Let a halo of heavenly-mindedness

      sparkle around me

   and a lamp of kindness sunbeam my path.

Teach me the happy art of

   attending to things temporal

   with a mind intent on things eternal.

Send me forth to have compassion

   on the ignorant and miserable.

Help me to walk as Jesus walked,

   my only Saviour and perfect model,

   his mind my inward guest,

   his meekness my covering garb.

Let my happy place be amongst the poor in spirit,

   my delight the gentle ranks of the meek.

Let me always esteem others better than myself,

   and find in true humility

   an heirdom to two worlds.