The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley 200A Prayer Against the Power of Sin
Open in the readerO that Thou wouldst the heavens rent,
In majesty come down!
Stretch out Thine arm omnipotent,
And seize me for Thine own.
Descend, and let Thy lightning burn
The stubble of Thy foe;
My sins o'erturn, o'erturn, o'erturn,
And let the mountains flow.
Thou my impetuous spirit guide,
And curb my headstrong will.
Thou only canst drive back the tide,
And bid the sun stand still.
What though I cannot break my chain,
Or e'er throw off my load?
The things impossible with men
Are possible to God.
Is anything too hard for Thee,
Almighty Lord of all,
Whose threatening looks dry up the sea,
And make the mountains fall?
Who, who shall in Thy presence stand,
And match Omnipotence?
Ungrasp the hold of Thy right hand,
Or pluck the sinner thence?
Sworn to destroy, let earth assail;
Nearer to save Thou art;
Stronger than all the powers of hell,
And greater than my heart.
Lo! to the hills I lift mine eye,
Thy promised aid I claim:
Father of Mercies, glorify
Thyself in Jesu's name.
Salvation in that Name is found,
Balm of my grief and care,
A medicine for my every wound.
All, all I want is there.
Jesu! Redeemer, Saviour, Lord ,
The weary sinner's Friend,
Come to my help, pronounce the word,
And bid my troubles end.
Deliverance to my soul proclaim,
And life and liberty;
Shed forth the virtue of Thy Name,
And JESUS prove to me.
Faith to be heal'd Thou know'st I have;
For Thou that faith hast given:
Thou canst, Thou canst the sinner save,
And make me meet for heaven.
Thou canst o'ercome this heart of mine,
Thou wilt victorious prove;
For everlasting strength is Thine,
And everlasting love.
Thy powerful Spirit shall subdue
Unconquerable sin; Cleanse this foul heart, and make it new,
And write Thy law within.
Bound down with twice ten thousand ties,
Yet let me hear Thy call,
My soul in confidence shall rise,
Shall rise and break through all.
Speak, and the deaf shall hear Thy voice,
The blind his sight receive,
The dumb in songs of praise rejoice,
The heart of stone believe.
The Ethiop then shall change his skin,
The dead shall feel Thy power,
The loathsome leper shall be clean,
And I shall sin no more!