Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, JESUS' NIGHT OF PRAYER, by MARY L. SEWARD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JESUS' NIGHT OF PRAYER, by                    
First Line: Tis night! And weary eyes in slumber closing
Last Line: "like him, unceasingly to ""watch and pray."
Alternate Author Name(s): Mumford, Mary L.
Subject(s): Jesus Christ - Life And Ministry


'TIS night! and weary eyes in slumber closing,
Woo the soft presence of ethereal dreams:
'Tis night! from restless thought and toil reposing,
The land in silence lies, till morning beams.

Far up the mountain's rugged steep ascending,
One only watcher sleepeth not for care;
Yet angels from their starry thrones are bending,
With pausing harps; for lo. HE kneels in prayer.

The night dews coldly on His form are falling,
Rudely the winds those sacred temples smite:
But still lone echo hears Him sadly calling
With voice importunate to GOD all night.

What mighty theme his secret thought engaging,
Detains the "Man of sorrows" humbly there?
What fearful woe, His anxious soul presaging,
Would he avert with breath of pleading prayer?

Ah! for His Church, the Sinless One beseecheth;
His Church, that trembling 'mid her hopes and fears,
He sees, with prescient gaze that onward reacheth
Through the long vista of time-shadow'd years.

Amid the wilderness, he marks her failing,
Her steps by fierce temptation led aside;
Her robes of light, her glorious garments trailing
O'er paths unmeet for the Eternal Bride.

And He would shield her in her trial hour,
Would keep her drooping children from despair;
Would give her strength to guard her priceless dower
Of faith and love -- her martyr's crown to wear.

Thou, on whose heart, wild waves of sorrow beating,
Would seem to whelm with darkness all thy life,
Think, when with joy, thou seest them back retreating,
It was thy Saviour's prayer that hush'd their strife.

Thou too, upon whose pathway ever blending
Are light and beauty, blessing thee alway;
Think, on His heart He bore thee when ascending
That lonely mountain, where He knelt to pray.

Oh! think of Him, the while thy vigils number
Scarce one brief hour, passing so soon away;
And rouse thy spirit from its dreamy slumber,
Like him, unceasingly to "watch and pray."





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