Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PRAYER, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PRAYER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I ask good things that I detest
Last Line: Thou lord of all.
Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour
Subject(s): God; Prayer; Sin


I ASK good things that I detest,
With speeches fair;
Heed not, I pray Thee, Lord, my breast,
But hear my prayer.

I say ill things I would not say --
Things unaware:
Regard my breast, Lord, in Thy day,
And not my prayer.

My heart is evil in Thy sight:
My good thoughts flee:
O Lord, I cannot wish aright --
Wish Thou for me.

O bend my words and acts to Thee,
However ill,
That I, whate'er I say or be,
May serve Thee still.

O let my thoughts abide in Thee
Lest I should fall:
Show me Thyself in all I see,
Thou Lord of all.





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