1
A prodigal, no need I sensed
For God my folks had known;
The world's allure enticed me thence;
Its friendship close had grown.
For God my folks had known;
The world's allure enticed me thence;
Its friendship close had grown.
My emptiness relentless still,
I searched, but naught did find.
Confused, I tried whatever thrilled;
It more my void defined.
I searched, but naught did find.
Confused, I tried whatever thrilled;
It more my void defined.
2
God's vessels kind would not forget
This poor soul, most decried.
A God so real, through them I met;
I could no more deny.
This poor soul, most decried.
A God so real, through them I met;
I could no more deny.
Alone, distressed, from peace apart,
I for God's solace yearned;
Their tender love warmed up my heart
Until it Godward turned.
I for God's solace yearned;
Their tender love warmed up my heart
Until it Godward turned.
3
O precious faith! O sweetest love!
O joy beyond compare!
Life's every turn God's mercy proved,
Unfailing, secret care.
O joy beyond compare!
Life's every turn God's mercy proved,
Unfailing, secret care.
Yet God would know my dreams remained;
I craved what earthlings craved.
By mercy I God's vision gained;
His goal my path re-paved.
I craved what earthlings craved.
By mercy I God's vision gained;
His goal my path re-paved.
4
E'en if I take the wings of dawn,
At ocean's limits dwell*,
God faithful, wise, will lead me on,
His searchings keep me well.
At ocean's limits dwell*,
God faithful, wise, will lead me on,
His searchings keep me well.
My heart o'erflows with songs of praise;
God's mercy is my crown.
His love a wretched soul embraced,
Transforms to glory-bound.
God's mercy is my crown.
His love a wretched soul embraced,
Transforms to glory-bound.
5
Go forth! Our Shepherd yearns that more
Lost prodigals we'd find
Into each wounded heart outpour
Fresh, timely oil and wine!
Lost prodigals we'd find
Into each wounded heart outpour
Fresh, timely oil and wine!
Search out the weak, the wayward, lost;
In meekness bring them home!
Warm, tender love they need the most
And God's acceptance shown.
In meekness bring them home!
Warm, tender love they need the most
And God's acceptance shown.
6
The Lord is pleased to build His home
In every contrite heart;
The feeble in His hand become
His warring counterpart.
In every contrite heart;
The feeble in His hand become
His warring counterpart.
Christ will all Satan's work efface
Through wisdom full and grace;
The church will e'er His foe disgrace
To universal praise!
Through wisdom full and grace;
The church will e'er His foe disgrace
To universal praise!
* Psa. 139:9
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Fort Worth, TX, United States
What a wonderful hymn! Prodigals returning and bringing others to fulfill God’s purpose. Amen