522 THE FAULT IS MINE
sometimes God seems so far away,
the mists between so dense,
my heart is filled with sudden dread,
foreboding, and suspense.
the very prayers I utter
come straightway back thro' space -
too weak to make their faltering way
up to the throne of grace.
and then again, god seems so near,
i cannot but believe;
His faintest whisper rings as clear
as vesper chimes at eve.
'i never leave thee nor forsake',
his gentle whisper saith;
and what had caused my sudden
dread
was just my lack of faith!
Edith M. Lee
523 THE SECRET PLACE
there is a place where thou canst touch the eyes
of blinded men to instant, perfect sight;
there is a place where thou canst say, 'Arise!'
to dying captives, bound in chains of night;
there is a place where thou canst reach the store
of hoarded gold and free it for the Lord;
there is a place - upon some distant shore -
where thou canst send the worker of the Word;
there is a place where Heaven's resistless power
responsive moves to thine insistent plea;
there is a place - a silent, trusting hour -
where God Himself descends and fights for thee.
where is that blessed place - dost thou ask, 'Where?"
O soul, it is the secret place of prayer.
Author unknown
THE LARGER PRAYER
at first I prayed for Light:
could I but see the way,
how gladly, swiftly, would I walk
to everlasting day!
the next I prayed for strength,
that I might tread the road
with firm, unfaltering feet and win
the heavens' serene abode.
and then I asked for faith:
could I but trust my God,
I'd live enfolded in His peace,
though foes were all abroad.
but now I pray for love:
DEEP LOVE TO GOD AND MAN;
a living love that will not fail,
however dark His plan.
and light and strength and faith
are opening everywhere !
God only waited for me till
I PRAYED THE LARGER PRAYER.
Edith Dean Cheney
FORGIVENESS
Remorsefully,
upon my bed,
with tears, not words,
my prayers I said.
God's listening ear,
heard my distress;
know the regret
I would express.
the lovingly,
He washed away
the debt of sin
I could not pay.
He raised me up,
my hope restored,
and armed me with
His Spirit's sword.
with courage then,
I tried once more,
to make, with Him,
a better score.
Lois Duffield
524 LIKE ORPHANS
we kneel down to pray
and right earnestly say,
'Dear Father in Heaven above,'
then rising, we go
so mournful, so slow,
like orphans without any love.
Opal Leonore Gibbs
CYRUS BROWN'S PRAYER
'the proper way for man to pray,
said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,
'and the only proper attitude,
is down upon his knees'.
'no, I should say the way to pray,
said Rev, Dr. Wise,
'is standing straight with outstretched
arms.
and rapt and upturned eyes'.
'Oh, no, no, no! said Elder Slow,
'such posture is too proud;
a man should pray with eyes fast
closed,
and head contritely bowed'.
'it seems to me his hands should be
austerely clasped in front.
with both thumbs pointing toward the ground,'
said Rev. Dr. Blunt.
'Las' year I fell in Hodgkin's well
head first, said Cyrus Brown,
'with both my heels a-stickin' up,
my head a-pintin down;
'An' I made a prayer right then an'
there -
best prayer I ever said,
the prayin'est prayer I ever prayed,
A-standin' on my head'.
Sam Walter Foss
REMEMBRANCE
I prayed, 'Lord, take away the pain'.
'Remember, child, He said, 'the stain
upon the Cross, the stain of red'.
with quickening tears I hung my
head.
'Oh, take away the sorrow, Lord',
I prayed. 'Remember, child the sword
that pierced my heart, the Saviour
said,
'when those I loved and trusted fled'.
in deepest shame I hung my head.
At last I prayed, 'Lord, sanctify
the suffering and grief'. then I
knew the peace and joy, that i might
share
Gethsemane; and lingering there,
I glimpsed beyond the darkened sod
the shining citadel of God.
Grace V. Watkins
525 REGRET - Mrs. Mabel Murray
I bow my head in sorrow,
my eyes they fill with tears,
when I look back across my life,
and see the wasted years.
down through the years, I wandered,
without a goal in mind,
until at last He found me,
my Saviour good and kind.
He left His realm of Glory,
of Heaven far above,
and came to die on Calvary,
to prove His gracious love.
God knows that I am sorry,
and he's forgiven me;
but how I wish the wasted years
were given back to me.
that I might live each one again
in service for my King;
and for the wealth He's given me,
some small gift I could bring.
526 A THANKSGIVING - Annie Johnson Flint
for all Thy blessings given there are many to thank Thee, Lord,
but for the gifts withholden I fain would add my word.
for the good things I desired that barred me from the best,
the peace at the price of honor, the sloth of a shameful rest;
the poisonous sweets I longed for to my hungering heart denied,
the staff that broke and failed me when I walked in the way of pride;
the tinsel joys withheld that so content might still be mine,
the help refused that might have made me loose my hand from Thine;
the light withdrawn that I might not see the dangers of my way;
for what Thou hast not given, I thank Thee, Lord, today.
'IF I HAD PRAYED' - M. Joyce Roder
perhaps the day would not have seemed so long,
the skies would have not seemed so gray,
if on my knees in humble prayer
i had begun the day.
perhaps the fight would not have seemed so hard -
prepared, I might have faced the fray,
if I had been alone with Him
upon my knees, to pray.
perhaps I might have cheered a broken heart
of helped a wanderer on the way.
if I had asked to be a light
to some dark soul today.
I would remember just the pleasant things,
the harsh words that I meant to say
I would forget, if I had prayed
when I began the day.
I think I would have met life's harder trials
with hopeful heart and cheerful smile,
if I had spoken with my Lord
just for a little while.
And, if I pray, I find that all is well;
all cares at His dear feet are laid.
my heart is glad, the load is light,
because I first have prayed.
528 A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
not for the joys that I have known,
not for the past that has been sweet,
today I kneel, God, at your feet,
i kneel, though tired and alone,
to thank You for the mystery
of hours to come; and that the fire
of youth still burns...for the
desire
to meet the years that are to be!
the path - it may be hard to go,
I may know poverty and pain;
I may be bowed by springtime rain,
beneath the weight of winter snow.
I may find loss and sore distress,
vague disappointment may be mine;
but still the far horizon's line
will hold frail dreams for me to guess!
and -with a drifting, keen delight
my eager searching eyes may see
the flame that lights an autumn
tree....
I may be sure that stars, at night,
will shine for me when all the way
is hard to go, that there is mirth,
to veil the sorrows of the earth.
So, Father, not for yesterday
do I give thanks...although it made
my heart and soul know rapture's thrill,
for, God, tomorrow waits me still.
Ah, may I meet it unafraid!
the past is done - its tapestry
is background for new scenes shift;
today I thank you for the gift
of all the years that are to be!
Margaret E. Sangster
A BREATH OF PRAYER
a breath of prayer in the morning
means a day of blessing sure:
a breath of prayer in the evening
means a night of rest secure;
a breath of prayer in our weakness
means a clasp of a Mighty Hand;
a breath of prayer when we're lonely
means Someone to understand.
a breath of prayer in our doubtings
assures us the Lord knows best.
a breath of prayer in our sorrows
means comfort and peace and rest;
a breath of prayer in rejoicing
gives joy an added delight.
for they that remember God's
goodness
go singing far into the night.
there's never a year nor a season
that prayer may not bless every hour
and never a soul need be helpless
when linked with God's infinite
power
Frances McKinnon Morton
531 HOURS OF PRAYER
yesterday my cross seemed heavy,
I was sunken in despair,
the way stretched out before me
and there were no hours of prayer.
it seemed I could not carry on,
'Neath all my earthly strife,
till Jesus whispered sweetly,
'I am the Way, the Truth and ...
Life.
'ask in My Name, ye shall receive',
there is comfort from all care,
if believing you will seek
in hours of earnest prayer.
'Twas then i dropped my burden
unloaded all my care,
as I knelt before the throne of God,
for hours of earnest prayer.
i felt His presence near me,
my cross He carried away,
He soothed that weary feeling,
when i began to pray.
and now the way seems brighter,
with Him my joys I share,
and sweet communion have we two,
because of earnest prayer.
Julia Biebesheimer
PRAYER - Charles Francis Richardson
if, when I kneel to pray,
with eager lips i say:
'Lord, give me all the things that I desire:
health, wealth, fame, friends, brave heart, religious fire,
the power to sway my fellow-men at will,
and strength for mighty works to banish ill';
in such a prayer as this
the blessing I must miss.
Or if I only dare
to raise this fainting prayer:
'Thou seest Lord, that I am poor and weak,
and cannot tell what things I ought to seek;
I therefore do not ask at all, but still
I trust Thy bounty all my wants to fill';
my lips shall thus grow dumb,
the blessing shall not come.
but if I lowly fall,
and thus in faith I call:
'Through Christ, O Lord, I pray Thee give to me
not what I would, but what seems best to Thee,
of life, of health, of service and of strength,
until to Thy full joy I come at length'
My prayer shall then avail,
the blessing shall not fail.
Charles Francis Richardson
533 BECAUSE YOU PRAYED
because you prayed for me
i found the strength I needed for my task,
the courage i lacked before, the faith to see
beyond my narrow world; new joy for pain
I found and zeal
to press on forward strong of heart again -
because you prayed.
because you prayed today
I found it was not hard to face the dawn,
take up again the work I laid away
but yesterday, and shoulder it, and dare
to smile a bit
and find a blessing I'd not dreamed was there -
because you prayed.
because you prayed for me
tonight, i seemed to reach and find your hand
close by as i had known it would be,
and somehow toil and turmoil needs must cease:-
it was as though
God to our hearts had softly whispered, 'Peace' -
because you prayed.
Ruth Margaret Gibbs
534 HE TAKES MY HAND
she's just a little kiddie
who walks by her mother's side,
and she'd rather go out walking
than to take a little ride.
she likes to skip and hop along,
to run ahead and wait
for mother to catch up to her
down by the garden gate.
but sometimes when they go walking
it gets hard for her to stand,
and when the road gets rocky,
she says, 'Mother, take my hand'.
it's all right when paths are easy
for her to skip along,
but when it's getting hard to walk
she wants a hand so strong,
to reach down and take hold of hers
to help her find the way,
'Mother, mother, hold my hand';
is what you'll hear her say.
I guess that we're all children,
sometimes the way is bright,
then we like to run along;
but when the day grows night,
when the shadows lengthen,
when the sky is overcast-
or when we walk the valley
when the day is done at last:
I think that we shall reach right up,
I know He'll understand
and we'll cry like weary children,
'Lord Jesus, take my hand'.
I know that He will reach right down
to help us in our need,
for when we cannot help ourselves
he'll always intercede.
then when the journey's over
and we stand on yonder strand,
Methinks that we shall ask again,
'Lord Jesus, take my hand'.
Louis Paul Lehman, Jr.
535 SECOND CRUCIFIXION
they crushed the thorns into His brow
and struck harsh blows that day.
oh, Lord, i would not treat Thee so -
i only walked away.
they drove the nails into His hands,
and raised the cross on high.
Oh, Lord, that men could be so vile -
I only passed Thee by.
but blinded eyes and heart of stone
will spurn a love like Thine.
oh, Lord, I struck the cruelest blows.
the sharpest thorns were mine.
Victoria Beaudin Johnson
PRAYER - Henry van Dyke
Lord, the newness of this day
calls me to an untried way:
let me gladly take the road,
give me strength to bear my load,
Thou my guide and helper be -
I will travel through with Thee.
536 from MORTE D'ARTHUR
the old order changeth, yielding place to new,
and God fulfils himself in many ways,
lest one good custom should corrupt the world.
Comfort thyself: what comfort is in me?
I have lived my life, and that which I have done
may He within himself make pure! but thou,
if thou shouldst never see my face again,
pray for my soul. more things are wrought by prayer
than this world dreams of. wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
for what are men better than sheep or goats
that nourish a blind life within the brain,
if, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
both for themselves and those who call them friend?
for so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God....
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
EARLY RISING AND PRAYER - Henry Vaughan
when first thine eyes unveil, give thy soul leave
to do the like; our bodies but forerun
the spirit's duty; true hearts spread and heave
unto their God, as flowers do to the sun
give Him thy first thoughts, then, so shalt thou keep
him company all day, and in Him sleep.
yet never sleep the sun up; prayer should
dawn with the day; there are set awful hours
'Twixt heaven and us; the manna was not good
after sun-rising; far day sullies flowers.
rise to prevent (def - hinder) the sun: sleep doth sins glut
and heaven's gate opens when this world's is shut.
walk with thy fellow-creatures : note the hush
and whisperings amongst them. not a spring
or leaf but hath his morning hymn; each bush
and oak doth know I AM. cants thou not sing?
Oh, leave thy cares and follies! go this way,
and thou art sure to prosper all the day.
Serve God before the world; let Him not go
until thou hast a blessing; then resign
the whole unto Him, and remember who
prevailed by wrestling ere the sun did shine;
pour oil upon the stones, weep for thy sin,
then journey on and have an eye to heaven.
Mornings are mysteries: the world's first youth,
man's resurrection and the future's bud,
shroud in their births; the crown of life, light, truth,
is styled their star, the store and hidden food:
three blessings wait upon them; one of which
should move: they make us holy, happy, rich.
when the world's up, and every swarm abroad,
keep well thy temper, mix not with each clay;
Dispatch necessities; life hath a load
which must be carried on and safely may.
yet keep those cares without thee; let the heart
be God's alone and choose the better part.
537 SAVE ME - Henry W. Frost
save me, O God, Thou God of my redemption;
my life is forfeit, 'tis in Thee I live;
Thy grace has brought me penalty's exemption;
oh, do thou also, daily sins forgive.
save me, Oh god, Thou God of my defending;
my soul is base, it clings to things below;
hold me to Thee, where Thy great power befriending,
I may be Thine, and all thy fullness know.
save me, o God, Thou God of my sustaining;
my heart is vagrant, 'tis afar from Thee;
lift me and keep me, till thy love obtaining,
from self's desires I am for ever free.
Save me, O God, Thou God of my sure guiding;
my eyes are veiled, I dare not walk alone:
show me Thy path, the way of Thy providing;
lead me straight onward till I reach Thy throne.
Save me, O God, Thou God of my dread judging;
forgive my sins, I fear to see Thy face;
for Thy dear Son, Thy mercy not begrudging,
save me, and give me in thy heaven a place.
538 OH DO NOT GO - Henry Vaughn
O do not go, thou know'st I'll die;
my spring and fall are in Thy book;
or, if thou goest, do not deny
to lend me, though from far, one look.
My sins long since have made Thee strange,
a very stranger unto me;
no morning meetings since this change,
nor evening walks have i with Thee.
Why is my God thus slow and cold,
when i am most, most sick and sad?
well fare those blessed days of old,
when thou didst hear the weeping lad.
O do not Thou do as i did,
do not despise a love-sick heart;
what though some clouds defiance bid,
Thy sun must shine in every part.
though I have spoiled, O spoil not Thou,
hate not Thine own dear gift and token,
poor birds sing best and prettiest show,
when their nest is fallen and broken.
Dear Lord, restore Thy ancient peace,
Thy quickening friendship, man's bright wealth;
and if Thou wilt not give me ease
from sickness, give my spirit health.
VESPERS - Henry W. Frost
(written in memory of a Vesper Service attended in Wales.)
beyond the square of the old church tower,
where the bell is tolling the evening hour.
the sun sinks low in its glory red
to a long night's rest in its ocean -bed:
the sunlight falls on the ancient fane (def - ancient name for a church)
on arch and lintel and window-pane,
on lofty roof and on high-peaked choir,
on tower and turret and slender spire,
till the old, stone church, with its ivy green,
seems aglow in a flame of celestial sheen.
through the stained-glass windows the sunset bright
throws its measureless rays of radiant light,
touching with lustre carved saints of old
and winged angels with harps of gold,
making resplendent the chilly gloom
of darkened recess and shadowy tomb,
and, flashing glory, the nave across,
through the chancel's length to the brazen cross,
it falls upon it, a crimson flood,
till the cross seems bathed in a tide of blood.
the tones of the bell are now dying away,
and, at last, they pass, as passes the day,
when out from the church sounds the vesper-hymn,
as the worshipping saints sing praise to Him
Who is Lord of all, of the day and the night,
Who watches His won from the heavenly height.
then follow the words of the evening prayer,
which fall on the hearts of the worshippers there
all peaceful and still, with the blessing of God,
as the dew falls soft on the waiting sod;
and to all, the worshipping women and men,
with heads bowed low, say a glad Amen!
beyond the square of the old church tower,
the bell is tolling the curfew hour;
and the sun goes down in its glory red,
to its long night's rest in its ocean-bed.
540 THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER
the camel, at the close of day,
kneels down upon the sandy plain
to have his burden lifted off
and rest to gain.
my soul, thou, too, shouldst to thy knees
when daylight draweth to a close,
and let the master lift the load
and grant repose.
the camel kneels at break of day
to have his guide replace his load,
then rises up anew to take
the desert road.
so thou shouldst keel at morning's dawn
that God may give thee daily care,
assured that He no load too great
will make thee bear.
Author unknown
WHAT IS PRAYER?
prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
uttered or unexpressed;
the motion of a hidden fire
that trembles in the breast.
prayer is the burden of a sigh,
the falling of a tear,
the upward glancing of the eye,
when none but God is near.
prayer is the simplest form of speech
that infant's lips can try;
prayer the sublimest strains that reach
the Majesty on high.
prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
returning from his ways;
while angels in their songs rejoice,
and cry, 'Behold, he prays!'
prayer is the christian's vital breath,
the christian's native air,
his watchword at the gates of death:
he enters heaven with prayer.
the saints in prayer appear as one
in word and deed and mind,
while with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.
nor prayer is made by man alone, -
the Holy spirit pleads
and Jesus on the eternal throne
for sinners intercedes.
O thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
the path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!
James Montgomery
THE HELPER - Phillips Brooks
the little sharp vexations,
and the briars, that catch and fret,
why not take all to The Helper
who has never failed us yet?
Tell Him about the heartache,
and tell Him the longings too;
Tell Him the baffled purpose
when we scarce know what to do;
then leaving all our weakness
with the One divinely strong;
forget that we bore the burden,
and carry away the song.
541 EXHORTATION TO PRAYER
what various hindrances we meet
in coming to a mercy-seat!
yet who, that knows the worth of
prayer,
but wishes to be often there?
prayer makes the darkened cloud
withdraw;
gives exercise to faith and love,
brings every blessing from above.
restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
prayer makes the christian's armor
bright;
and satan trembles when he sees
the weakest saint upon his knees.
while Moses stood with arms spread
wide,
success was found on Israel's side;
but when thro' weariness they failed,
that moment Amalek prevailed.
Have you no words? Ah! think again,
words flow apace when you complain,
and fill your fellow-creature's ear,
with the sad tale of all your care.
were half the breath, thus vainly
spent,
to Heaven in supplication sent,
your cheerful song would oftener be,
'HEAR WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR ME!
William Cowper
DO I REALLY PRAY? - John Burton
I often say my prayers,
but do I really pray?
and do the wishes of my heart
go with the words I say?
I may as well kneel down
and worship gods of stone,
as offer to the living God
a prayer of words alone.
for words with the heart
the Lord will never hear;
nor will He to those lips attend
whose prayer is not sincere!
Lord, show me what I need
and teach me how to pray,
and hep me when I seek Thy grace
to mean the words I say.
542 PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE
Father, lead me on, I pray,
through the long and narrow way,
till the sunlight fades away
and the day is done.
may my heart from sin be free,
keep it in all purity,
so that I may walk with Thee,
Thee the holy One.
give me vision true and keen,
may none else by Thee be seen,
Thee and me, with naught between,
till my rest is won.
bring me to Thy home at last,
toils and dangers overpast,
grant me there Thy glories vast,
through Thy blessed son.
then may I be filled with praise
for Thy care through devious ways,
for the end of journeying days
and for heav'n begun.
PRAYER - Connie Callenberg
how prone we are
to ask for answers
to our prayer,
to take our care,
and lay it all at Jesus' feet,
to then expect - complete
Response,
without a time of trust,
a time to know the peace,
and sweet release,
of prayer, whose answer may
be on the way,
but not as yet in sight;
to know the pure delight,
of trusting Him,
from day to day,
Thro' storms, and trial along the way;
how prone we are
to know despair,
when really God doth know and
care,
but wants to see
if we can bear
The test.
our Lord knows best!
and we must bow - and humbly ask,
with trust,
that He shall do the task,
as in a childlike faith
we bask,
untouched with care;
the knowledge deep within,
He answers prayer!
A MORNING PRAYER - Betty Perpetuo
I ask Thee not to withhold grief
Thou hast in store for me;
I only ask for courage, Lord,
to bear it patiently.
to always tread the flowery path?
not his my earnest plea;
I only ask my hand in Thine,
then i'll wait patiently.
I pray Thee not to smooth one wave
from off my troubled sea;
only give my frail bark strength
to sail though patiently.
I ask thee not to always place
sweet fruit upon life's tree,
but of the bitter fruit - dear Lord,
to partake patiently.
some day the azure sky will break
and Thy dear face I'll see;
I pray that Thou wilt find me, Lord,
Waiting patiently.
543 PRAYER IN THE SPIRIT - George Croly
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
stoop to my weakness, might as Thou art,
and make me love Thee as I ought to love.
I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
no sudden rending of the veil of clay,
no angel visitant, no opening skies;
but take the dimness of my soul away.
Hast Thou not bid us love thee, God and King
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind;
I see Thy cross - there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee and o let me find!
Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
546 WHEN FATHER PRAYS
when father prays he doesn't use
the words the preacher does;
there's different things for different
days,
but mostly it's for us.
when father prays the house is still,
his voice is slow and deep.
we shut our eyes, the clock ticks loud,
so quiet we must keep.
he prays that we may be good boys,
and later on good men;
and then we squirm, and think we
won't
have any quarrels again.
you'd never think, to look at Dad,
he once had tempers, too.
I guess if father needs to pray,
we youngsters surely do.
sometimes the prayer gets very long
and hard to understand,
and then I wiggle up quite close,
and let him hold my hand.
I can't remember all of it,
I'm little yet, you see;
but one thing I cannot forget,
My father prays for me!
Author unknown
547 THE BLESSINGS OF GOD
MERCY abundantly given
HELP for the difficult place
COURAGE when its sorely needed,
STRENGTH for the problems we face!
COMFORT when grief assails us,
LOVE when we need someone to care
these are the blessings of God.
that He gives in answer to prayer!
Mary D. Hughes
A PRAYER - Florence Holbrook
not more of light I ask, O God,
but eyes to see what is;
not sweeter songs, but power to hear
the present melodies.
not greater strength, but how to use
the power that I possess;
not more of love, but skill to turn
a frown to a caress.
not more of joy, but power to feel
its kindling presence near,
to give to others all I have
of courage and of cheer.
give me all fears to dominate,
all holy joys to know;
to be the friend I wish to be,
to speak the truth I know.
BE STILL - G.W.S.
be still, my soul and listen,
for God would speak to thee,
and while the tempest's raging
thy refuge He would be.
be still, and cease to struggle,
seek not to understand;
the flames will not destroy thee,
Thou'rt in the Father's hand.
and when the burden's heavy
He seeks to make thee pure,
to give thee faith and patience
and courage to endure.
the way is not too hard for thee,
endure the chastening rod;
Thy gold shall only be refined,
Be still, submit to God.
548 TWO PRAYERS - Andrew Gillies
last night my little boy confessed to
me
some childish wrong;
and kneeling at my knee,
he prayed with tears -
'Dear God, make me a man
like Daddy - wise and strong;
i know You can'.
then while he slept
i knelt beside his bed,
confessed my sins,
and prayed with low-bowed head.
'O God, make me a child
like my child here -
pure, guileless,
trusting Thee with faith sincere.
THE TEACHER - Leslie Pinckney Hill
Lord, who am I to teach the way
to little children day by day,
so prone myself to go astray?
I teach them knowledge, but I know
how faint the flicker and how low
the candles of my knowledge glow.
I teach them love for all mankind
and all God's creatures, but I find
my love comes lagging far behind.
Lord, if their guide i still must be,
Oh, let the little children see
the teacher leaning hard on Thee.
549 WATCH AND PRAYER - Martin Luther
the God that stopped the sun on high
and sent the manna from the sky,
laid flat the walls of Jericho,
and put to flight old Israel's foe;
why can't He answer prayer today,
and drive each stormy cloud away?
who turned the water into wine,
and healed a helpless cripple's spine,
commanded tempest, 'Peace, be still'.
and hungry multitudes did fill;
His power in just the same today,
so why not labor, watch and pray?
He conquered in the lions' den,
brought Lazarus back to life again,
he heard Elijah's cry for rain,
and freed the sufferers from pain.
if He could do those wonders then,
let's prove our mighty God again.
why can't God who raised the
dead,
gave little David Goliath's head,
cast out the demons with a word,
yet sees the fall of one wee bird,
do signs and miracles today,
in that same, good, old-fashioned way?
HE CAN! He's just the same today!
550 THE SHUT DOOR - Author unknown
i need not leave the jostling world,
or wait till daily tasks are o'er,
to fold my palms in secret prayer
within the close-shut, closet door.
there is a viewless, cloistered room,
as high as heaven, as fair as day,
where through my feet may join the
throng,
my soul can enter in and pray.
551 PRAYER - Henry W. Frost
to worship Him who is my Father -God,
in the all-worthy name of Christ, the Son,
through the blest Spirit, ever Holy One.
bowing the knee, with heart all hushed and awed;
to come to Him, confessing all my sin,
and seek forgiveness through the precious blood;
to ask that He, in love's o'erflowing flood,
will bless my needy life, without, within:
to intercede for all my kinsmen, friends,
for the elect who love our Savior-Lord,
for the great world, e'en to its farthest ends,
that Christ may be by men obeyed, adored;
and then to praise, always and everywhere; -
be this my fervent and effectual prayer!
NIGHT-WATCH PRAYER
Lord, Thy peaceful gift restore,
give my body sleep once more:
while I wait my soul will rest
like a child upon thy breast.
Henry van Dyke
AT PRAYER MEETING
there were only two or three of us
who came to the place of prayer;
came in the teeth of a driving storm;
but for that we did not care,
since after our hymns of praise had
risen,
and our earnest prayers were said,
The Master Himself was present there
and gave us the living bread.
we knew His look in our leader's face,
so rapt and glad and free;
we felt His touch when our heads we
bowed,
we heard His 'Come to Me!'
nobody saw Him lift the latch,
and none unbarred the door;
but peace was His token to every heart,
and how could we ask for more?
it was only a handful gathered in
to the little place of prayer,
Outside was struggle and pain and sin,
but the Lord Himself was there;
He came to redeem the pledge He gave
wherever His loved ones be,
to stand Himself in the midst of them,
Tho' they count but two or three.
and forth we fared in the bitter rain.
and our hearts had grown so warm,
it seemed like the pelting of summer
flowers
and not the crash of a storm;
" 'Twas a time of the dearest privilege
at the Lord's right hand", we said,
and we thought how Jesus Himself
had come
to feed us the Living Bread.
Margaret E. Sangster
552 A PRAYER - B.Y.Williams
Oh, not for more or longer days, dear Lord,
My prayer shall be -
But rather teach me how to use the day
Now given to me.
I ask not more of pleasure or of joy
For this brief while -
But rather let me for the joys I have
Be glad and smile.
I ask not ownership of vast estates
Nor piles of gold -
But make me generous with the little store
My hands now hold.
Nor shall I ask that life should give to me
Another fried -
Just keep me true to those I have, dear lord,
Until the end.
EVENING PRAYER - Robert Freeman
God Mercy:
the day with all its choices, good or ill,
is now beyond recall;
and I am alone with Thee,
to make answer for deed and word and thought,
I cannot play the hypocrite with Thee,
I cannot excuse or justify the blots that stained the day;
I cannot play the hypocrite with Thee,
i cannot excuse of justify the blots that stained the day;
I cannot lightly laugh at my transgressions now;
for Thou dost know me altogether:
but Thou dost know the good in me, and not the evil only:
dost see my struggles, mark my resolutions,
hear my silent prayers in heaven, Thy dwelling place.
Thy heart is kind.
there is forgiveness with Thee.
it was for men like me that Jesus died.
for His sake, let me know Thy peace tonight,
and with the morrow make me to be
a new and worthier man.
553 TOO BUSY - Avis B. Christiansen
forgive me, Lord, that I allow
my days and hours to be
so filled with trifling tasks, that oft
I find no time for Thee.
my thoughts so oft are occupied
with countless earthly thing
when Thou would have them
mount on High
by faith with eagle wings.
so many duties round me press,
that rob me of the time
I fain would spend with Thee, my
Lord,
in fellowship divine.
too busy - O forbid, dear Lord,
that I should ever be
too much engrossed in worldly tasks
to spend an hour with Thee!
that I should let the din of life
drown out Thy voice of love,
and, grovelling in the 'sands of time',
lose out on things Above.
O help me, Lord, to take the time -
to set all else aside,
that in the Secret Place of prayer
I may with Thee abide;
to hear what Thou wouldst say to me,
and hold communion sweet;
to praise Thy precious worthy Name
and worship at Thy feet:
to hearken to Thy holy will,
to feel Thy cleansing pow'r -
O may I ne'er let aught deprive
my soul of this blest hour.
554 THANKFULNESS
My God, I thank Thee who hast made
the earth so bright;
so full of splendor and of joy,
beauty and light;
so many glorious things are here,
noble and right!
I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast
made
Joy to abound;
so many gentle thoughts and deeds
circling us round,
that in the darkest spot of Earth
some love is found.
I thank Thee more that all our joy
is touched with pain;
that shadows fall on brightest hours;
that thorns remain;
so that Earth's bliss may be our guide,
and not our chain.
I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast
kept
the best in store;
we have enough, yet not too much
to long for more;
a yearning for a deeper peace,
Not know before.
I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls,
though amply blest,
can never find, although they seek,
A perfect rest, -
nor ever shall, until they lean
On Jesus' breast!
Adelaide Anne Procter
LIGHT AT EVENING TIME
Holy Father, cheer our way
with Thy love's perpetual ray;
grant us every closing day
Light at evening time.
Holy Saviour, calm our fears
when earth's brightness disappears;
grant us in our later years
Light at evening time.
Holy Spirit, be Thou nigh
when in mortal pains we lie;
grant us, as we come to die.
Light at evening time.
Holy, blessed Trinity,
darkness is not dark to Thee;
those Thou keepest always see
Light at evening time.
R.H Robinson
555 A PRAYER -
Lord, in mercy pardon me
all that I this day have done:
sins of every kind 'gainst Thee,
Oh, forgive them, thro' Thy Son
Make me, Jesus, like to Thee,
Gentle, holy, meek and mild,
my transgressions pardon me,
Oh, forgive a sinful child.
Frances Ridley Havergal
HEARD - Henry W. Frost
what if I cry in midnight gloom,
shall I be heard?
will there be found in God's heart
room
for my poor word?
My soul is breaking, I must cry;
hear me, O Father, or I die!
I cried aloud in midnight gloom,
with pleading word;
I spoke of sorrow's threat'ning doom,
Of hope deferred;
and lo, God heard my anguished cry -
and e'en my lowest, faintest sigh!
A MISSIONARY PRAYER - Martin Luther
Thy mercy, Lord, to us dispense,
Thy blessing on us pour;
lift up Thy gracious countenance
upon us evermore:
Oh, may we fully know Thy mind,
thy saving word proclaim,
that many heathen-tribes may find
Salvation in Thy Name.
let tongues and kindreds praise the
Lord,
let every nation praise,
let all the earth with one accord
a glad thanksgiving raise,
that sin no more its sway maintains,
for Christ the Lord is King,
His word defends, His law sustains;
shout all ye lands and sing!
then shall the earth her increase bring,
her fruits be multiplied;
then shall Thy scepter rule, O King,
His word defends, His law sustains;
Shout all ye lands and sing!
then shall the earth her increase bring,
her fruits be multiplied;
then shall Thy scepter rule, O King,
Thy word be glorified:
and God, our God, with blessings
crown,
His faithful Church again,
and earth's remotest bounds shall own
Him, Lord and God! Amen!
560 I LOVE TO STEAL AWHILE AWAY
I love to steal awhile away
from every cumbering care,
and spend the hours of setting day
in humble, grateful prayer.
I love in solitude to shed
the penitential tear,
and all his promises to plead,
where none by God can hear.
I love to think on mercies past.
and future good implore,
and all my cares and sorrows cast
on him whom I adore.
Phoebe H. Brown
561 THE THREE PRAYERS
I. 'Lord, help me', so we pray,
'help me my work to do;
I am so ignorant and weak,
make me more wise and true'.
II. 'Lord, help me to do Thy work',
we pray when wiser grown
when on the upward way
our feet have farther gone.
III. 'Lord, do Thy work through me';
so when all self we lose;
his doing and His work, and we
the tools His hand can use.
Annie Johnson Flint
262 BLESSED - Author unknown
He prayed for strength that he might achieve;
He was made weak that he might obey.
He prayed for wealth that he might do greater things;
He was given infirmity that he might do better things,
He prayed for riches that he might be happy;
He was given poverty that he might be wise.
He prayed for power that he might have the praise of men;
He was given infirmity that he might feel the need of God.
He prayed for all things that he might enjoy life;
He was given life that he might enjoy all things.
He had received nothing that he asked for - all that he hoped for;
His prayer was answered - he was most blessed.
SHALL I PRAY ON? - Edith L. Mapes
for years I've prayed, and yet I see no change.
the mountain stands exactly where it stood;
the shadows that it casts are just as deep;
the pathway to its summit e'en more steep.
shall I pray on?
shall I pray on with ne'er a hopeful sign?
not only does the mountain still remain
but, while I watch to see it disappear,
becomes the more appalling year by year.
shall I pray on?
I will pray on. though distant it may seem,
the answer may be almost at my door,
or just around the corner on its way.
but whether near or far, yea, I shall pray -
I will pray on.
563 MY NAME IN MOTHER'S PRAYER
'Twas in the years of long ago
when life was fair and bright
and ne'er a tear and scarce a fear
O'ercast my day or night,
that often in the eventide
I found her kneeling there
and just one word, my name, I heard:
My name in mother's prayer!
I thought but little of it then,
though reverence touched my heart
for her whose love sought from above
for me, the better part.
but when the sterner battles came
with many a subtle snare,
'twas then one word, my name, I
heard:
My name in mother's prayer.
i wandered on and heeded not
God's oft-repeated call
to turn from sin, to live for Him,
and give to Him my all:;
until at last of sin convinced
I sank in deep despair:
My hope awoke when mem'ry spoke
My name in mother's prayer!
that pleading heart; that soul, so tired,
has reached the shining shore.
but now the spirit of her life
doth guide me more and more;
and when I enter heaven's rest
and greet her over there
I'll praise the Lord, because He heard
My name in mother's prayer!
that pleading heart; that soul, so tired,
has reached the shining shore,
but now the spirit of her life
doth guide me more and more;
and when I enter heaven's rest
and greet her over there
I'll praise the Lord, because He heard
My name in mother's prayer!
565 MY PRAYER
I do not ask that I may steer
my bark by peaceful shores alone,
nor that I linger, harbor-bound,
and sail no stormy seas unknown:;
I only ask this boon of thee:
be ever in the ship with me.
I do not ask that I may dwell
from din of battle far removed,
nor ever know mine armor proved;
I only ask, through Life's long fight,
grant me the power of Thy might.
I do not ask that I may walk
only on smoothly trodden grass,
nor ever climb the mountain's height
and trembling, through its dangers
pass;
I only ask, on rocks or sand,
the sure upholding of Thy hand.
I dare not pray for any gift
upon my pilgrim path to Heaven;
I only ask one things of thee:
give Thou Thyself and all is given.
I am not strong nor brave nor wise;
Be Thou with me - it shall suffice.
Annie Johnson Flint
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