Prayer For Children.
By William Cowper
Gracious Lord, our children see,
By thy mercy we are free;
But shall these, alas! remain
Subjects still of Satans reign?
Israels young ones, when of old
Pharaoh threatend to withhold,[1]
Then thy messenger said, No;
Let the children also go.
When the angel of the Lord,
Drawing forth his dreadful sword,
Slew, with an avenging hand,
All the first-born of the land;[2]
Then thy peoples doors he passd,
Where the bloody sign was placed;
Hear us, now, upon our knees,
Plead the blood of Christ for these!
Lord, we tremble, for we know
How the fierce malicious foe,
Wheeling round his watchful flight,
Keeps them ever in his sight:
Spread thy pinions, King of kings!
Hide them safe beneath thy wings;
Lest the ravenous bird of prey
Stoop, and bear the brood away.