Thou, O Lord, who commandest me to ask, grant that I may receive; Thou hast put me upon seeking, let me be happy in finding; Thou hast bidden me knock, I pray Thee open unto me. Be graciously pleased to direct and govern all my thoughts and actions, that, for the future, I may serve Thee, and entirely devote myself to obeying Thee. Accept me, I beseech Thee, and draw me to Thyself, that I may henceforth be Thine by obedience and love, who am already all Thine own, as Thy creature. Even Thine, O Lord, who livest and reignest for ever and ever—Amen.

St. Augustine (354–430).

Lord, take my lips, and speak through them; take my mind, and think through it; take my heart, and set it on fire—Amen.

William Hay Hunter Aitken, b. 1841.