O Lord,
We commune with Thee every day,
but week days are worldly days,
and secular concerns reduce heavenly impressions.
We bless Thee therefore for the day sacred to our souls
when we can wait upon Thee and be refreshed;
We thank Thee for the institutions of religion
by use of which we draw near to Thee
and Thou to us;
We rejoice in another Lord’s Day
when we call off our minds from the cares of the world
and attend upon Thee without distraction;
Let our retirement be devout,
our conversation edifying,
our reading pious,
our hearing profitable,
that our souls may be quickened and elevated
— The Valley of Vision