I Want A Principle Within

Last Sunday, we sang this hymn in church and I thought it was an excellent prayer for girls who are striving to stay pure at heart.

I want a principle within 

Of watchful, godly fear,

A sensibility of sin, 

A pain to feel it near. 

I want the first approach to feel 

Of pride or wrong desire,

To catch the wandering of my will, 

And quench the kindling fire.

From Thee that I no more may stray, 

No more Thy goodness grieve,

Grant me the filial awe, I pray, 

The tender conscience give.

Quick as the apple of an eye, 

O God, my conscience make;

Awake my soul when sin is nigh, 

And keep it still awake.

Almighty God of truth and love,
To me Thy power impart;
The mountain from my soul remove, 
The hardness from my heart.
O may the least omission pain 
My reawakened soul,
And drive me to that blood again, 
Which makes the wounded whole. 
~~~
Words by hymn-writer Charles Wesley