My Father, Hear My Prayer

My Father, hear my prayer
Before I go to rest;
It is Thy trustful child
That cometh to be blest.

Forgive me all my sin,
And let me sleep this night
In safety and in peace
Until the morning light.

Lord, help me every day
To love Thee more and more,
And try to do Thy will
Much better than before.

Now look upon me, Lord,
Ere I lie down to rest;
It is Thy trustful child
That cometh to be blest.

Author: Mary Lundie Duncan

Year: 1839

This children's evening hymn first appeared in her mother's 1841 collection 'Rhymes for My Children' (posthumously). It is sometimes dated to 1839 and is occasionally attributed simply to 'M. L. Duncan' or listed under her married name.