Father, who art alone our helper

554 Samuel. 6. 6. 6. 6. 8. 8.

1 Father, Who art alone
   Our helper and our stay,
   O hear us, as we plead
   For loved ones far away,
   And shield with Thine almighty hand
   Our wanderers by sea and land.

2 O compass with Thy love
   The daily path they tread;
   And may Thy light and truth
   Upon their hearts be shed,
   That, one in all things with Thy will,
   Heaven’s peace and joy their souls may fill.

3 Guard them from every harm
   When dangers shall assail,
   And teach them that Thy power
   Can never, never fail;
   We cannot with our loved ones be,
   But trust them, Father, unto Thee.
                         Edith Jones?
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
This one only occurs in twelve hymnals and no one seems to know anything about the author, if indeed she is the author. But, there are additional verses in some hymnals:

2 For Thou, our Father God,
   Art present everywhere,
   And bendest low Thine ear
   To catch the faintest prayer,
   Waiting rich blessings to bestow
   On all Thy children here below.

5 We all are travelers here
   Along life's various road,
   Meeting and parting oft
   Till we shall mount to God,—
   At home at last, with those we love,
   Within the fatherland above.

</idle musing>