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| COMMENT: Hymn for PROTECTION and PEACE | ||
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The two verses of this hymn are rhyming versions of the two very beautiful, much-loved and ancient evening prayers
printed below.
The first is for Protection - and is usually known as the Prayer of the Angel Guard - and the second prayer is for Peace. |
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Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this place, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy; may thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace; and may thy blessing be upon us evermore... Preserve us, Lord, while waking and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep we may rest in peace. |
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Neither of the hymn verses need be sung, for both can simply be said as prayers. Their verse-form may make them easier to learn by heart than the original prayers. As the same prayers should not be said twice on the same occasion, the hymn would not be suitable on an occasion when the original prayers were already being said, e.g. the service called Compline/Night Prayer. The verses - said or sung - could, of course, be used to replace the original prayers. The first prayer for Protection need not be confined to the evening, but can - and should - be used widely. |
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| HYMN - For PROTECTION and PEACE | ||
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Metre - 8.7.8.7.
There is a wide range of tunes to this metre that are suitable: among them are All for Jesus, Cross of Jesus, Laus Deo, St. Andrew, St. Oswald, Stuttgart, and Waltham (Albert's, not Monk's) Perhaps Waltham (by H. Albert) is the most gentle. |
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1. Lord, we ask that you would visit us in answer to our prayers; may your Angel Guard bring peace, and drive away all evil's snares. 2. This night, Lord, if we are wakeful may our watch with Christ increase; while we sleep may you so guard us that in him we rest in peace. |
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John Richards, 2004, Copyright waived for users of Help for Christians.co.uk
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