Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PRAYER, by ELIZA COOK Poet's Biography First Line: How purely true, how deeply warm Last Line: The offering of fervent prayer. Subject(s): Prayer | ||||||||
How purely true, how deeply warm The inly-breathed appeal may be, Though adoration wears no form, In upraised hand or bended knee. One Spirit fills all boundless space, No limit to the when or where; And little recks the time or place That leads the soul to praise and prayer. Father above, Almighty one, Creator, is that worship vain That hails each mountain as they throne, And finds a universal fane? When shining stars, or spangled sod, Call forth devotion, who shall dare To blame, or tell me that a GOD Will never deign to hear such prayer? Oh, prayer is good when many pour Their voices in one solemn tone; Conning their sacred lessons o'er, Or yielding thanks for mercies shown. 'Tis good to see the quiet train Forget their worldly joy and care, While loud response and choral strain Re-echo in the house of prayer. But often have I stood to mark The setting sun and closing flower; When silence and the gathering dark Shed holy calmness o'er the hour. Lone on the hills, my soul confessed More rapt and burning homage there, And served the maker it addressed With stronger zeal and closer prayer. When watching those we love and prize, Till all of life and hope be fled; When we have gazed on sightless eyes, And gently stayed the falling head; Then what can soothe the stricken heart, What solace overcome despair; What earthly breathing can impart Such healing balm as lonely prayer? When fears and perils thicken fast, And many dangers gather round When human aid is vain and past, No mortal refuge to be found; Then can we firmly lean on heaven, And gather strength to meet and bear; No matter where the storm has driven, A saving anchor lives in prayer. Oh, God! how beautiful the thought, How merciful the blessed decree, That grace can e'er be found when sought, And naught shut out the soul from Thee. The cell may cramp, the fetters gall, The flame may scorch, the rack may tear; But torture-stake, or prison-wall, Can be endured with faith and prayer. In desert wilds, in midnight gloom; In grateful joy, in trying pain; In laughing youth, or nigh the tomb; Oh when is prayer unheard or vain? The Infinite, the King of kings, Will never heed the when or where; He'll ne'er reject a heart that brings The offering of fervent prayer. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN LISTEN, LORD: A PRAYER by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON A PRAYER FOR THE FUTURE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) DIFFERENT WAYS TO PRAY by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE PRAYER DURING A TIME MY SON IS HAVING SEIZURES by SHARON OLDS WE WHO PRAYED AND WEPT by WENDELL BERRY PRAYERS AND SAYINGS OF THE MAD FARMER by WENDELL BERRY |
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