Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart

 
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; 
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move. 
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as you are, 
And make me love you as I ought to love. 

Teach me to feel that you are 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 you as your angels love, 
One holy passion filling all my frame; 
The baptism of the Heaven-descended Dove, 
My heart an altar and your love the flame. 

(from a hymn by George Croly, slightly revised)

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