Pour Thy blessings, Lord, like showers, On these barren lives of ours; Warm and quicken them with grace Till they bloom and bear apace Fruit of prayer and fruit of praise, Holy thoughts and kindly ways, Loving sacrifices shown Wheresoever need is known. Chiefest, Lord, today may we In the sick and suffering see, Those whom Thou would'st have us bless With fraternal tenderness, With our treasure freely poured, With compassion's richer hoard, With these ministries most dear To Thy stricken children here. Heavy is the cross they bear, But our love that cross can share; Dark Thy providence must seem, But our cheer can cast a gleam On their lot; and in our turn Holiest lessons we may learn, Where Thine own revealing light Streams through pain's mysterious night.