Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth <br />The gift of saving grace; <br />And let the seed of sacred truth <br />Fall in a fruitful place. <br /> <br />Grace is a plant, where'er it grows, <br />Of pure and heav'nly root; <br />But fairest in the youngest shows, <br />And yields the sweetest fruit; <br /> <br />Ye careless ones, O hear betimes <br />The voice of sovereign love! <br />Your youth is stained with many crimes, <br />But mercy reigns above. <br /> <br />True, you are young, but there's a stone <br />Within the youngest breast; <br />Or half the crimes which you have done. <br />Would rob you of your rest. <br /> <br />For you the public prayer is made, <br />O! join the public prayer! <br />For you the secret tear is shed, <br />O shed yourselves a tear. <br /> <br />We pray that you may early prove <br />The Spirit's power to teach; <br />You cannot be too young to love <br />That Jesus whom we preach.<br /><br />William Cowper<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/olney-hymn-22-prayer-for-a-blessing-in-the-young/
