/Test Databases/Esther/MP/mp0442.txt

Lord of the Church,

.i Timothy Dudley-Smith



.1

Lord of the Church,

we pray for our renewing: 

Christ over all, 

our undivided aim; 

fire of the Spirit, 

burn for our enduing, 

wind of the Spirit, 

fan the living flame!

 

We turn to Christ 

amid our fear and failing, 

the will that lacks 

the courage to be free, 

the weary labours, 

all but unavailing, 

to bring us nearer 

what a church should be. 



.2

Lord of the Church, 

we seek a Father's blessing, 

a true repentance 

and a faith restored, 

a swift obedience 

and a new possessing, 

filled with the Holy 

Spirit of the Lord! 



We turn to Christ 

from all our restless striving, 

unnumbered voices 

with a single prayer - 

the living water 

for our souls' reviving, 

in Christ to live, 

and love and serve and care. 



.3

Lord of the Church, 

we long for our uniting, 

true to one calling, 

by one vision stirred; 

one cross proclaiming 

and one creed reciting, 

one in the truth of 

Jesus and His word! 



So lead us on; 

till toil and trouble ended, 

one Church triumphant 

one new song shall sing, 

to praise His glory, 

risen and ascended, 

Christ over all, 

the everlasting King!

~