How can it be I forget you, Lord,
       With all the blessings you afford–
Amazing grace that will not cease,
       Abounding love, unearthly peace?

How can it be my heart grows numb
       And scattered as the wind, and dumb–
Stricken so from offering praise,
       Blinded, deaf to all your ways?

       How can it be? How can it be
              That You should die and live for me?
       Your kiss of grace meets lips of stone
              Yet I am loved though I am known!

How can it be my mind should stall
            Without the guidance of your call?
 I wander for I cannot hear
            Your tender voice, though you are near.

My way's grown dim, but you're my Light
            Open my eyes, restore my sight!
Guided by your word anew and
            Humbled, let me hear from you.

            Refrain

How can my soul draw close, my King,
            And give you every worldly thing,
Surrender self unto the flame,
            And worship you in Jesus' Name?

I cannot by my will come near
            Unless you draw me, let me hear
Your word, and guide me through this night
            Restore my soul, restore my sight!

       How can it be? How can it be
              That You should die and live for me?
       Thy kiss of grace meets lips of stone
              Yet I am loved, though I am known!

Lord, from this grace, with ceaseless praise,
            Grant me to follow all your ways!
You are my Christ! bend now my will
            And guide me, Lord–O guide me still!

       How can it be? How can it be
              That You should die and live for me?
       Thy kiss of grace meets lips of stone
              Yet I am loved, and all Your own!

© July 2019 by Tamara at http://www.ReadPsalm119.com.

Credit to Robert MacColl Adams (1913-1985) for the third line of the refrain from his far superior poem, “Eternal Lord, how faint and small”, available at Christian Quote of the Day for Thursday, May 19, 2016 (http://www.cqod.com/cqod1605.htm#q160519); and used with kind permission. His poem has been pasted in the front of my Bible for over 20 years and memorized. It is no surprise or usurpation that this line should come to mind in such a prayer, as one stone-hearted lover of Christ joins with another in the same confession.

Credit also to Charles Wesley (1707-1788) for the title question’s wording, made intelligible from my heart to my lips by his deeply beautiful hymn “And Can it Be?“. This hymn which I have known from my childhood was most beautifully and accurately expressed in music by the acapella group GLAD. I offer it to you here for our mutual and continual worship.