H elp me to approach thee

             with becoming conception of thy nature,

   relations and designs.

Thou inhabitest eternity, and

    my life is nothing before thee;

Thou dwellest in the highest heaven and

   this cannot contain thee;

     I live in a house of clay.

Thy power is almighty;

     I am crushed before the moth.

Thy understanding is infinite;

     I know nothing as I ought to know.

Thou canst not behold evil;

     I am vile.

In my ignorance, weakness, fears, depressions,

   may thy Spirit help my infirmities

     with supplies of wisdom, strength and comfort.

Let me faithfully study my character,

   be willing to bring it to light,

   observe myself in my trials,

   judge the reality and degree of my grace,

   consider how I have been ensnared or overcome.

Grant that I may never trust my heart,

   depend upon any past experiences,

   magnify any present resolutions,

   but be strong in the grace of Jesus:

   that I may know how to obtain relief

     from a guilty conscience

   without feeling reconciled to my imperfections.

Sustain me under my trials

     and improve them to me;

   give me grace to rest in thee,

   and assure me of deliverance.

May I always combine thy majesty

     with thy mercy,

   and connect thy goodness

     with thy greatness.

Then shall my heart always rejoice

   in praises to thee.