Lost Prodigals

NS836
1
A prodigal, no need I sensed
For God my folks had known;
The world’s allure enticed me thence;
Its friendship close had grown.
D
prodi
Agal, 
no 
Bmneed 
I sensed 
EmFor 
God my 
Dfolks 
Ghad 
Aknown; 
DThe 
world's al
Alure 
en
Bmticed 
me thence; 
GIts 
friendship 
A7close 
had 
Dgrown. 
 
My emptiness relentless still,
I searched, but naught did find.
Confused, I tried whatever thrilled;
It more my void defined.
My emptiness relentless still,
I searched, but naught did find.
Confused, I tried whatever thrilled;
It more my void defined.
2
God’s vessels kind would not forget
This poor soul, most decried.
A God so real, through them I met;
I could no more deny.
God’s vessels kind would not forget
This poor soul, most decried.
A God so real, through them I met;
I could no more deny.
 
Alone, distressed, from peace apart,
I for God’s solace yearned;
Their tender love warmed up my heart
Until it Godward turned.
Alone, distressed, from peace apart,
I for God’s solace yearned;
Their tender love warmed up my heart
Until it Godward turned.
3
O precious faith! O sweetest love!
O joy beyond compare!
Life’s every turn God’s mercy proved,
Unfailing, secret care.
O precious faith! O sweetest love!
O joy beyond compare!
Life’s every turn God’s mercy proved,
Unfailing, secret care.
 
Yet God would know my dreams remained;
I craved what earthlings craved.
By mercy I God’s vision gained;
His goal my path re-paved.
Yet God would know my dreams remained;
I craved what earthlings craved.
By mercy I God’s vision gained;
His goal my path re-paved.
4
E’en if I take the wings of dawn,
At ocean’s limits dwell*,
God faithful, wise, will lead me on,
His searchings keep me well.
E’en if I take the wings of dawn,
At ocean’s limits dwell*,
God faithful, wise, will lead me on,
His searchings keep me well.
 
My heart o’erflows with songs of praise;
God’s mercy is my crown.
His love a wretched soul embraced,
Transforms to glory-bound.
My heart o’erflows with songs of praise;
God’s mercy is my crown.
His love a wretched soul embraced,
Transforms to glory-bound.
5
Go forth! Our Shepherd yearns that more
Lost prodigals we’d find
Into each wounded heart outpour
Fresh, timely oil and wine!
Go forth! Our Shepherd yearns that more
Lost prodigals we’d find
Into each wounded heart outpour
Fresh, timely oil and wine!
 
Search out the weak, the wayward, lost;
In meekness bring them home!
Warm, tender love they need the most
And God’s acceptance shown.
Search out the weak, the wayward, lost;
In meekness bring them home!
Warm, tender love they need the most
And God’s acceptance shown.
6
The Lord is pleased to build His home
In every contrite heart;
The feeble in His hand become
His warring counterpart.
The Lord is pleased to build His home
In every contrite heart;
The feeble in His hand become
His warring counterpart.
 
Christ will all Satan’s work efface
Through wisdom full and grace;
The church will e’er His foe disgrace
To universal praise!
Christ will all Satan’s work efface
Through wisdom full and grace;
The church will e’er His foe disgrace
To universal praise!
* Psa. 139:9
1
Tina Cerda

Fort Worth, TX, United States

What a wonderful hymn! Prodigals returning and bringing others to fulfill God’s purpose. Amen