Gracious Father, guard thy children

Gracious Father, guard thy childrenFrom the foe's destructive power;Save, O save them, Lord, from fallingIn this dark and trying hour.Thou wilt surely prove thy people,All our graces must be tried;But thy word illumes our pathway,And in God we still confide.

We are in the time of waiting;Soon we shall behold our Lord,Wafted far away from sorrow,To receive our rich reward.Keep us, Lord, till thine appearing,Pure, unspotted from the world;Let thy Holy Spirit cheer usTill thy banner is unfurled.

With what joyful exultationShall the saints thy banner see,When the Lord for whom we've waitedShall proclaim the Jubilee!Freedom from this world's pollutions;Freedom from all sin and pain;Freedom from the wiles of Satan,And from death's destructive reign.