Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul Part 63

A SHRINKING PRAYER

Give me, O Lord, a heart of grace, A voice of joy, a smiling face, That I may show, where'er I turn, Thy love within my soul doth burn!

Then life be sweet, and joy be dear, Be in my mind a quiet fear; A patient love of pain and care, An enmity to dark despair.

A tenderness for all that stray, With strength to help them on their way; A cheerfulness, a heavenly mirth, Brightening my steps along the earth.

I ask and shrink, yet shrink and ask; I know thou wilt not set a task Too hard for hands that thou hast made, Too hard for hands that thou canst aid.

So let me dwell all peacefully, Content to live, content to die; Rejoicing now, rejoicing then, Rejoicing evermore. Amen.

--Rosa Mulholland.

THAT I MAY SOAR

Great G.o.d, I ask thee for no meaner pelf Than that I may not disappoint myself; That in my action I may soar as high As I can now discern with this clear eye.

And next in value which thy kindness lends, That I may greatly disappoint my friends, Howe'er they think or hope that it may be, They may not dream how thou'st distinguished me.

That my weak hand may equal my firm faith, And my life practise more than my tongue saith; That my low conduct may not show, Nor my relenting lines, That I thy purpose did not know, Or overrated thy designs.

--Henry David Th.o.r.eau.

A CRY OF THE SOUL

O G.o.d of truth, for whom alone I sigh, Knit thou my heart by strong, sweet cords to thee.

I tire of hearing; books my patience try; Untired to thee I cry; Thyself my all shalt be.

Lord, be thou near and cheer my lonely way; With thy sweet peace my aching bosom fill; Scatter my cares and fears; my griefs allay; And be it mine each day To love and please thee still.

My G.o.d! Thou hearest me; but clouds obscure Even yet thy perfect radiance, truth divine!

O for the stainless skies, the splendors pure, The joys that aye endure When thine own glories s.h.i.+ne!

--Pierre Corneille.

A PURPOSE TRUE

Lord, make me quick to see Each task awaiting me, And quick to do; Oh, grant me strength, I pray, With lowly love each day And purpose true.

To go as Jesus went, Spending and being spent, Myself forgot; Supplying human needs By loving words and deeds, Oh, happy lot!

--Robert M. Offord.

There are deep things of G.o.d. Push out from sh.o.r.e; Hast thou found much? Give thanks, and look for more.

Dost fear the generous Giver to offend?

Then know his store of bounty hath no end.

He doth not need to be implored or teased; The more we take the better he is pleased.

--Charles Gordon Ames.

BREATHE ON ME

Breathe on me, Breath of G.o.d, Fill me with life anew, That I may love what thou dost love, And do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of G.o.d, Until my heart is pure, Until with thee I will one will, To do or to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of G.o.d, Till I am wholly thine; Till all this earthly part of me Glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of G.o.d, So shall I never die, But live with thee the perfect life Of thine eternity.

--Edwin Hatch.

THE COMPARATIVE DEGREE

What weight of woe we owe to thee, Accurst comparative degree!

Thy paltry step can never give Access to the superlative; For he who would the wisest be, Strives to make others wise as he, And never yet was man judged best Who would be better than the rest; So does comparison unkind Dwarf and debase the haughty mind.

Make not a man your measuring-rod If you would span the way to G.o.d; Heed not our petty "worse" or "less,"

But fix your eyes on perfectness.

Make for the loftiest point in view, And draw your friends along with you.

--Amos R. Wells.

Thy nature be my law, Thy spotless sanct.i.ty, And sweetly every moment draw My happy soul to thee.

Soul of my soul remain; Who didst for me fulfill, In me, O Lord, fulfill again Thy heavenly Father's will.

--Charles Wesley.

LEAD ON, O LORD

Jesus still lead on Till our rest be won; And although the way be cheerless, We will follow, calm and fearless; Guide us by thy hand To our Fatherland.

If the way be drear, If the foe be near, Let not faithless fears o'ertake us, Let not faith and hope forsake us; For, through many a foe To our home we go.

When we seek relief From a long-felt grief: When oppressed by new temptations, Lord, increase and perfect patience; Show us that bright sh.o.r.e Where we weep no more.

Jesus, still lead on Till our rest be won; Heavenly Leader, still direct us, Still support, control, protect us, Till we safely stand In our Fatherland.

--Nicolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf.