08 A Remarkable Prayer

Anonymous

[16] AEGTM, vol.12, no.7, June 1946

A REMARKABLE PRAYER.

The following, perhaps one of the cleverest things of its kind that ever saw print, was written a generation ago, and was found in the pocket of a soldier who had been killed on the battle-field.

Thou to the mercy seat our souls dost gather
To do our duty unto thee,
OUR FATHER.

To whom all praise, all honour should be given,
For thou art the great God,
WHO ART IN HEAVEN.

Thou, by thy wisdom, rul'st the world's whole frame,
For ever, therefore,
HALLOWED BE THY NAME.

Let nevermore delay divide us from
Thy glorious grace, but let
THY KINGDOM COME.

Let thy commands opposed be by none,
But let Thy good pleasure
AND THY WILL BE DONE.

And let our promptness to obey be even
The very same,
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN:

Then for our souls we also pray,
Thou would'st be pleased to
GIVE US THIS DAY

The food of life, wherewith our souls are fed,
Sufficient raiment and
OUR DAILY BREAD.

With every needful thing do thou relieve us,
And of thy mercy, pity,
AND FORGIVE US

All our misdeeds, for Him who Thou did'st please
To make an offering for
OUR TRESPASSES.

And forasmuch, O Lord, as we believe
That thou will pardon us
AS WE FORGIVE.

Let that love teach, wherewith
Thou dost acquaint us,
Do pardon all
THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

And though, sometimes,
Thou find'st we have forgot,
This love for thee, yet help
AND LEAD US NOT

Through soul or body's want to desperation,
Nor let earth's gain drive us
INTO TEMPTATION.

Let not the soul of any true believer,
Fall in the time of trial,
BUT DELIVER.

Yea, save them from the malice I of the devil,
And both in life and death keep
US FROM EVIL.

Thus pray we Lord, for that of Thee from whom
This may be had,
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM.

This world is of Thy work, wondrous story,
To Thee belong
THE POWER AND THE GLORY.

And all Thy wondrous works have ended never,
But will remain
FOR EVER AND EVER.

Thus we poor creatures would confess again.
AMEN.

"Take your choice: be led by God or driven by the devil."— Everell Morgan.