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WE GATHER TOGETHER TO ASK THE LORD'S BLESSING ...

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
he chastens and hastens his will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing:
sing praise to his Name, he forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning:
thou, Lord, wast at our side: all glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation:
thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

And may it be, Merciful Father, that wherever we gather this day, that our hearts will be lifted in praise to You for Your goodness and mercy ... and that our petitions would ever be that Your hand of Salvation would sweep across our beloved land, bringing eternal freedom to Your children.

May it be thus, O Lord, may it be thus, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen ...