(a prayer)

What time I am afraid, O God

Unto the Rock my heart shall flee:

Jesus Christ, the righteous King

Who endured the fire, before me.

Let my eyes be fixed on Jerusalem~
My face set on Zion's beautiful hill;
Ever trusting in God's mercy
By loving sacrifice, o'erspilled.

Strengthen the zeal a-flickering in my breast
Thou Lord of glory that rides the fiery storm~

As Jacob's faith, all the night a-wrestling~
Verily, thou knowest: I am a worm.

But my God, thou art ever faithful,
By thy grace we have life in thee;
The city of habitation shines above
By thy flaming sword, we see.

Now behold: God's wrath a-gathering.
Holy fire a-kindling hot and fierce.
As hordes of sinners rage all around;

And men's teeth gnash and pierce~

But my God, my God, we cleave ever more to thee~
A peculiar people, who in thy truth abide;
Thy name is our salvation, and our defense.

Thy word shines on our side.

Thou art our God, who regards the humble prayer~
Our King Jesus, who walks with us in the fire;
In tribulation may we be refined, as gold,

Our heavy hearts purged from mire.

O Lord of glory, despise not my plea
Regard my tears strewn on thy feet, this night;
As the shimmering curtains 'round about thy holy throne
Cloak us in thy love, and light.

~sister Abby Elizabeth