Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LORD, TEACH US HOW TO PLAY! by CHARLES WHITWORTH WYNNE

First Line: MID CLASHING CREEDS AND CIVIC STRIFE
Last Line: AND TEACH US HOW TO PRAY!
Subject(s): GOD; PRAYER; RELIGION; RELIGIOUS EDUCATION; THEOLOGY; SUNDAY SCHOOLS; YESHIVAS; PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS;

I

'MID clashing creeds and civic strife,
'Mid hosts with jealous envy rife,
'Mid all the turbulence of life,
Lord, teach us how to pray!

II

'Mid wrongs that speak from hour to hour
Of raging lust, of rampant power,
Of many a bruised and broken flower,
Lord, teach us how to pray!

III

'Mid lives whose luxury decrees
To millions bondaged hearts and knees,
'Mid wanton waste and slothful ease,
Lord, teach us how to pray!

IV

'Mid tongues that slander and defame,
That batten on a neighbour's shame,
Regardless of the lives they maim,
Lord, teach us how to pray!

V

Give us Thy Faith—the Faith of old,
Hope springing from her fount of gold,
And Charity that grows not cold,
And teach us how to pray!

VI

Be Thou our inspiration still,
Grant, Lord, submission to Thy will,
Our hearts with Thy compassion fill,
And teach us how to pray!



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