PRAYER - BECAUSE I HAVE THE TENDENCY

Because I have the tendency to grow
In my own way, as I desire to be,
Despite God’s thought of making willing, O
Lord, bend me to thy will, to grow towards Thee.

Because a singing saw creates discord
In hands that are enfeebled or unskilled,
Taking me in firm skilful hands, O Lord,
Bend me, so that a pure note is distilled.

First, fill a tube with sand; then block each end;
Red-heat the cooper; curve it manually.
Thus in your skill and rigour, O Lord, bend
Me till the waters flow effectually.

Bound to thy treadle, like a pole-lathe’s tree,
O bend, O bend, O bend, O Lord, bend me.

PRAYER - THAT THINE ARROW

That thine arrow,
Truth,
May find entry;

That thine enemies,
Lies,
may be expelled;

Whatever the cost,
By thy supple hands,
O Lord, bend me.

PRAYER - AS WE ARE STIFF-NECKED

As we are stiff-necked,
Stiff against Thee,
O Lord, bend us.

As I am brass-necked,
My face brazen,
O Lord, bend me.

When we put not our neck
To the work of the Lord,
O Lord, bend us.

As I put my neck
To Thy gentle yoke,
O Lord, bend me.

PRAYER - THE MASTER HAD IN MIND

                                                           The master had in mind
                                                      A particular form, according to his taste;
                                                   It required cutting
                                            Allowing the tree to branch out towards the sunshine
                                           Wiring
                                        Pruning
                                    And constant water, and plentiful food to support growth;
                                    It bent
                                  To the
                                Form he
                              Wished,
                           Growing
                           To that
                          Thought
                         Which it
                        Came from,
                       Satisfying
                    The master.
        Through time and patience
      O Lord, bend me to thy form,
           Bend me to thy mind.

PRAYER - IF SATAN'S POWERS REND US

If Satan’s powers rend us
While our sins offend us
And flesh is horrendous
O Lord, mend us!
O Lord, tend us!
O Lord, bend us!

PRAYER - THY GLORY IS AMAZING

Thy glory is amazing,
Thy light blazing,
Thy ways are past our tracing,
Thy love embracing;
Thy mercy is astounding,
Thy grace abounding;
Thy working is stupendous:
O Lord, bend us!

PRAYER - O LORD, TEND US

O Lord, tend us;
Each desiring to fulfil
Thy good, perfect will
One points hither,
One points thither;
That we might be still,
Might be with Thee still,
O Lord, mend us!
O Lord, bend us!

PRAYER - O LORD THOU ART CREATOR

O Lord, Thou art Creator
And life’s Originator;
Lord, Thou art our salvation
And source of jubilation;
O Saviour from disaster,
Thou hast become our Master;
Our hearts and souls are pointed
To Thee, the Man anointed;
Thy glory is tremendous:
Worshipping, O Lord, bend us!