Prayer of the Church

How long, O Lord our Savior,Wilt thou remain away?Our hearts are growing wearyOf thy so long delay.O when shall come the momentWhen, brighter far than morn,The sunshine of thy gloryShall on thy people dawn?

How long, O gracious Master,Wilt thou thy household leave?So long hast thou now tarried,Few thy return believe.Immers'd in sloth and folly,Thy servants Lord, we see;And few of us stand readyWith joy to welcome thee.

How long, O heav'nly Bridegroom,How long wilt thou delay?And yet how few are grievingThat thou dost absent stay!Thy very Bride her portionAnd calling hath forgot,And seeks for ease and gloryWhere thou, her Lord, art not.

O wake thy slumbering virgins;Send forth the solemn cry,Let all thy saints repeat it,“The Bridegroom draweth nigh!”May all our lamps be burning,Our loins well girded be,Each longing heart preparingWith joy thy face to see.