8,8,8,8

Casting the gospel net.

When Peter through the tedious night
Lk 5:4

Had often cast his net in vain;

Soon as his LORD appeared in sight

He gladly let it down again.

Once more the gospel net we cast,

Do thou, O LORD, the effort own;

We learn from disappointments past,

To rest our hope on thee alone.

Upheld by thy supporting hand,

We enter on another year;

And now we meet, at thy command,

To seek thy gracious presence here.

May this be a much favored hour,

To souls in Satan's bondage led!

O clothe thy word with sovereign pow'r

To break the rocks, and raise the dead!

Have mercy on our num'rous youth,

Who young in years, are old in sin;

And by thy Spirit, and thy truth,

Show them the state their souls are in.

Then, by a Savior's dying love

To every wounded heart revealed,

Temptations, fears, and guilt remove,

And be their Sun, and Strength, and Shield.

To mourners speak a cheering word,

On seeking souls vouchsafe to shine;

Let poor backsliders be restored,

And all thy saints in praises join.

O hear our prayer and give us hope,

That when thy voice shall call us home,

Thou still wilt raise a people up,

To love and praise thee in our room.