Spirit of God

Spirit of God! descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; Through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love thee as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies;
No sudden rending of the veil of clay;
No angel visitant, no op'ning skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.

Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart, and strength and mind;
I see Thy cross, there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear;
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The baptism of the heav'n descended dove,
My heart an altar and Thy love the flame. Amen.

George Croly