Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO EARNEST AND IMPORTUNATE PRAYER, by JOHN BYROM


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO EARNEST AND IMPORTUNATE PRAYER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A blessed truth for parable to paint
Last Line: That thou mayst always pray and never faint.
Subject(s): Prayer Meetings


A BLESSED Truth for parable to paint,
"That men should always pray, and never faint!"
Just the reverse of this would Satan say,
"That men should always faint, and never pray."
He wants to drive poor sinners to despair;
And Christ, to save them by prevailing pray'r.

The judge, who feared neither God nor man,
Despis'd the widow when she first began
Her just request; but she, continuing on
The same petition, wearied him anon;
He could not bear to hear her praying still;
And did her justice, tho' against his will.

Can perseverance force a man, unjust,
To execute, however loth, his trust?
And will not God, whose fatherly delight
Is to save souls, so precious in his sight,
Hear his own offspring's persevering call,
And give the blessing which He has for all?

Yes, to be sure, He will; the lying "No"
Is a downright temptation of the foe;
Who first emboldens sinners to presume,
As if a righteous judgment had no room;
And, having led them into grievous faults,
With the despair of mercy then assaults.

Dear soul, if thou hast listen'd to the lies
Which, at the first, the tempter would devise,
Let him not cheat thee with a second snare,
And drag thee into darkness by despair;
Pray against all his wiles, for God will hear,
And will avenge thee of him, never fear.

He gives the grace to sorrow for thy sin,
The sign of kindling penitence within;
Let not the smoke disturb thee; for, no doubt,
The light and flame will follow, and break out;
And love arise to overcome restraint,
That thou mayst always pray and never faint.





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