Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PRAYER OF THE SORROWING, by ELIZABETH DOTEN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PRAYER OF THE SORROWING, by                    
First Line: God! Hear my prayer!
Last Line: Amen! My heart repeats, amen!
Alternate Author Name(s): Doten, Lizzie
Subject(s): Grief; Prayer; Sorrow; Sadness


"And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven strengthening him."

GOD! hear my prayer!
Thou who hast poured the essence of thy life
Into this urn, this feeble urn of clay;
Thou who amid the tempest's gloom and strife
Art the lone star that guides me on my way;
When my crushed heart, by constant striving torn,
Flies shuddering from its own impurity,
And my faint spirit, by its sorrows worn,
Turns with a cry of anguish unto thee—
Hear me, O God! my God!

O, this strange mingling in of Life and Death,
Of Soul and Substance! Let me comprehend
The hidden secret of life's fleeting breath,
My being's destiny, its aim and end.
Show me the impetus that urged me forth,
Upon my lone and burning pathway driven;
The secret force that binds me down to earth,
While my sad spirit yearns for home and heaven—
Hear me, O God! my God!

The ruby life-drops from my heart are wrung,
By the deep conflict of my soul in prayer;
The words lie burning on my feeble tongue;
Aid me, O Father! let me not despair.
Save, Lord! I perish! Save me, ere I die!
My rebel spirit mocks at thy control—
The raging billows rise to drown my cry;
The floods of anguish overwhelm my soul—
Hear me, O God! my God!

Peace! peace! O, wilful, wayward heart, be still!
For, lo! the messenger of God is near;
Bow down submissive to the Father's will,
In "perfect love" that "casteth out all fear."
O, pitying Spirit from the home above!
No longer shall my chastened heart rebel;
Fold me, O fold me in thine arms of love!
I know my Father "doeth all things well;"
I will not doubt his changeless love again.
Amen! My heart repeats, Amen!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net