Help Us O Lord

help us, o lord! behold, we enter
upon another year today;
in thee our hopes and thoughts now center,
renew our courage for the way.
new life, new strength, new happiness,
we ask of thee—oh, hear and bless!

may every plan and undertaking
this year be all begun with thee;
when i am sleeping or am waking,
still let me know thou art with me.
abroad do thou my footsteps guide,
at home be ever at my side.

be this a time of grace and pardon.
thy rod i take with willing mind,
but suffer naught my heart to harden;
oh, let me then thy mercy find!
in thee alone, my god, i live;
thou only canst my sins forgive.

and may this year to me be holy;
thy grace so fill my every thought
that all my life be pure and lowly
and truthful, as a christian’s ought.
so make me while yet dwelling here
pious and blest from year to year.

jesus, be with me and direct me;
jesus, my plans and hopes inspire;
jesus, from tempting thoughts protect me;
jesus, be all my heart’s desire;
jesus, be in my thoughts all day
nor suffer me to fall away.

and grant, lord, when the year is over,
that it for me in peace may close;
in all things care for me and cover
my head in time of fear and woes.
so may i when my years are gone
appear with joy before thy throne.