SWS: Prayer of Joy

Dear Friends,
In my October 22, 2009 blog entry, I shared a prayer by Quaker pastor, missionary, and author John Somervell Hoyland. Here's another prayer by Hoyland, expressing joy in the presence of God.

O Thou, who art, beyond all human telling,
Beautiful, adorable, and lovely,
Thou who revivest our souls,
Thou who fillest our lives with joy,
Thou whose touch on our hearts is bliss, deathless and ineffable,
Thou at whose word of love monotony and despair flee away,
Thou who makest the desert a garden with the sweet fragrance of Thy presence,
Thou with whom to live, in humble poverty and weakness,
Is the splendor of eternal life,
Give us the light and glory and joy
Of Thy perfect friendship - Amen.

- John Somervell Hoyland (1887-1857)