A Father's Prayer for His Children

My God, who from my earliest age
To lingering life's extremest stage
Hast been my sure defence,
Wilt Thou not for my children care,
And safe conduct through every snare
Their heedless innocence?

Their souls and bodies I commend
To Thee, whose mercies never end,
Who dost Thy creatures know,
And promisest, whate'er we claim
After Thy will in Jesu's name
Thou freely wilt bestow.

Great things I do not, Lord, require.
To feed their covetous desire,
Their sloth, or vanity,
To fill their hearts with proud conceit,
iiil make the worms themselves forget
Poor pensioners on Thee.

Nor poverty nor riches give,
But let them in Thy presence live,
With heavenly wisdom bless'd,
With food and raiment satisfied,
Rejoice in nature's wants supplied.
And give up all the rest.

Nature with little is content,
And grace with less when Thou hast sent
The manna from above;
O that of this they humbly may
Receive their portion day by day,
And banquet on Thy love!

Thy love which did their souls redeem,
Be here their happiness supreme,
Till, call'd Thy face to see,
They leave this slighted earth behind,
And, lost in endless raptures, find
Their highest heaven in Thee.