Lord's Day Morning

O Maker and Upholder of all things,

Day and night are thine; they are also mine from thee-
the night to ride me of the cares of the day,
to refresh my weary body,
to renew my natural strength;

the day to summon me to new activities,
to give me opportunity to glorify thee,
to serve my generation,
to acquire knowledge, holiness, eternal life.

But one day above all days is made especially
for thy honor and my improvement;
The sabbath reminds me of they rest from creation,
of the resurrection of my savior,
of his entering into repose,

Thy house is mine,
but I am unworthy to meet thee there,
and am unfit for spiritual service.

When I enter it I come before thee as a sinner,
condemned by conscience and thy Word,
For I am still in the body and in the wilderness,
ignorant, weak, in danger,
and in need of thine aid.
But encouraged by thy all-sufficient grace
let me go to thy house with a lively hope of meeting thee,
knowing that there thou wilt come to me and give me peace.

My soul is drawn out to thee in longing desires
for they presence in the sanctuary, at the table,
where all are entertained on a feast of good things;
Let me before the broken elements, emblems of they dying love,
cry to thee with broken heart for grace and forgiveness.

I long for that blissful communion of thy people
in thy eternal house in the perfect kingdom;
These are they that follow the Lamb;
May I be of their company!

- "Lord's Day Morning," The Valley of Vision, edited by Arthur Bennett

(photo from The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City, taken last July)