I Ask for Thy Grace

I ask for Thy grace,
    Thy all sufficient grace;
    Thy grace to help me -
    Strengthen me this day.

Come to me, Lord,
    I call Thee.
Come to me to stay.

I seek Thy holy face,
    Thy most majestic face;
    Thy holy face to lead me
    As I pray.

Come to me, Lord,
    I call Thee.
Come to me to stay.

I call Thy holy name,
    Thy most majestic name;
    Thy holy name above
    All other names.

Jesus, Jesus,
    I love You.
Jesus, come to stay.

I ask for Thy grace,
    Thy all sufficient grace;
    Thy grace to help me -
    Strengthen me this day.

By Julie Dunlap  3-17-2012

Here is another short song I came up with as I was picking out a tune on my banjo.  In my weakness, I realize a need for God's grace to strengthen me for the day. This song is a prayer for grace - God's unmerited kindness to help us when we call upon Him.
 

 

Stabat Mater

At the Cross her station keeping

Stood the mournful mother weeping,

Where he hung, the dying Lord.

For her soul of joy bereaved,

Bowed with anguish, deeply grieved,

Felt the sharp and piercing sword.

Who, on Christ's dear mother gazing,

Pierced by anguish so amazing,

Born of woman, would not weep?

Who on Christ's dear mother thinking

Such a cup of sorrow drinking,

Would not share her sorrows deep?

For his people's sins chastised,

She beheld her Son despised,

Scourged, and crowned with thorns entwined.

Saw him then from judgment taken,

And in death by all forsaken,

Till his spirit he resigned.

Jesus, may her deep devotion

Stir in me the same emotion,

Fount of love, Redeemer kind.

That my heart fresh ardor gaining,

And a purer love attaining,

May with Thee acceptance find.

True repentance, Jesus, win me:

Savior print thy wounds within me.

Brand them on my stubborn heart.

As Thou bought'st, through tribulation,

In thy passion, my salvation,

Let me bear therein my part.

Let me mourn, O Lord, beside Thee

For the sins which crucified Thee,

While my life remains in me.

Take beneath the cross my station.

And in all thy desolation.

So unite myself to Thee.

Jesus, great beyond all other,

Turn not from me, heav'nly brother,

Let me too bewail thy pain.

Let my soul, thy death declaring,

Thy unsparing passion sharing,

Count thy bruises one be one.

Let thy stripes and scourging smite me;

At thy holy Cross requite me,

Let thy blood refresh me there.

O how sad and sore distressed

Now was she, that mother blessed

Of the sole-begotten One.

Deep the woe of her affliction,

When she saw the crucifixion

Of her everglorious Son.

Note: We sing this great hymn during Lent on Thursday evenings as we contemplate the way of the Cross.  

Love of Solitude

Come away, my child;
Learn from Me, my heart.
Still your troubled mind;
Calm your anxious thoughts.

Come away, my child;
Learn from Me, my ears.
Heed the call to holiness;
Listen long before you speak.

I will guide you, child;
You will falter now and then.
I am always near at hand;
You are My beloved friend.

Come away, my child;
Learn from Me, my feet and hands.
Doing deeds of mercy;
Loving lost and struggling man.

Come away, my child;
Learn from Me, my lips and tongue.
Speak good words of comfort;
Tell of Christ's redeeming plan.

by Julie Dunlap  4-23-2011