Stretch Out Thy Hands

My Father above me

In thy home of pure light

I kneel down before thee

and pray with delight

I thank thee forever

For all thou hast done

So I could find thee

That we may be one

I thank thee for blessings

Beyond counting each day

The veil oe'r my love for thee

Is melting away

I treasure the knowledge

And hold it most dear

That thou art beside me

The Savior so near

I thank thee for clean hands

To help and to bless

That once so unworthy

I cried in distress

I felt maybe I never

Would be able to bare

My brother's burdens

Or lift him with care

To help him to find thee

And never to part

So Jesus could lift him

And strengthen his heart

I cried with warm tears

And in anguish and pain

My heart's pleadings for mercy

I could not refrain

And then came the night

Of my deepest despair

For the depth of my sorrow

I know nor how to share

Then calling me softly

With such sweetness and love

Came the voice of thy Spirit

From thy presence above

Show me thy hands

Came the words to my mind

These hands are now worthy

To help those that are mine

My heart began growing

The hardness withdrew

And then came upon me

A spirit renewed

How can this be

I marveled within

What was the price

To cleanse so much sin?

Then ever so gently

That spirit of love

Let my mind wander

To places above

I found someone crying

In a garden at night

He was kneeling and pleading

With all of His might

I yearned in my spirit

To help with my hands

To lift Him or help Him

And cause Him to stand

But as I approached Him

And extended my arms

I found I was helpless

And cried in alarm

Why am I not able

To help someone in need

To give Him the strength

To rise from His knees?

Then the man ceased

From his pain and despair

And rose to his feet

But was standing in air!

He stretched forth his hands

And I saw that they bled

I saw He was wounded

And yet was not dead

He then took my hands

And held them in his

Then I cried in my spirit

I know who this is!

As soon as I knew Him

He was gone from my sight

But the darkness had left me

It was no longer night

I looked at my hands

That were touched by my Lord

What mercy, what love

Only He could afford

The spirit then asked me

If I could still hear

The weeping and pleading

Of He who is dear

If you still love Me

And if you still care

If you still ask me

Others burdens to share

If you would help Me

Then stretch out thy hands

For I have healed you

And met mercy's demands

Now you can love those

Who plead for my care

You now have the strength

Their burdens to share

Your hands so unworthy

Before that lacked love

Have now been made holy

By thy Savior above