Author: John E Bode 1816-74
O Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
be now and ever near me,
my master and my friend:
I shall not fear the battle
if you are by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if you will be my guide.
2. O let me feel you near me,
the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but Jesus, draw still nearer
and shield my soul from sin!
3. O let me hear you speaking
in accents clear and still;
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will:
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
and speak to make me listen,
O Guardian of my soul.
4. O Jesus, you have promised
to all who follow you,
that where you are in glory
your servant shall be too;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve you to the end;
O give me grace to follow
my master and my friend.
5. O let me see your footmarks
and in them place my own;
my hope to follow truly
is in your strength alone:
O guide me, call me, draw me,
uphold me to the end;
and then in heaven receive me,
my Saviour and my friend.
Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10, 2 Chronicles 20:15, Exodus 24:7, Psalms 49:15, John 1:43, John 12:26, John 17:24, Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13, Psalms 73:24, Hebrews 10:23, Psalms 31:3, 1 Peter 2:21, John 6:44, John 12:32, John 13:13, 1 John 2:16, Deuteronomy 26:17-19, 1 Samuel 3:10, 1 Kings 19:11-12, John 15:15, 2 Timothy 2:1, Joshua 24:14-25, Isaiah 30:21, John 21:19, 2 Samuel 15:14, 2 Chronicles 32:6-8, Nehemiah 5:13, Psalms 61:5-8, Psalms 77:19-20, Psalms 119:106, Jeremiah 31:9, Acts 27:20-24