Go when the morning shineth,
Go when the noon is bright,
Go when the eve declineth,
Go in the hush of night;
Go with pure mind and feeling,
Fling earthly thoughts away,
And, in thy chamber kneeling,
Do thou in secret pray.
Remember all who love thee,
All who are loved by thee;
Pray, too, for those who hate thee,
If any such there be.
Then for thyself in meekness
A blessing humbly claim,
And link with thy petition
The great Redeemer's name.
Or, if 'tis e'er denied thee
In solitude to pray,
Should holy thoughts come o'er thee
When friends are round thy way,
E'en then the silent breathing
Of thy spirit, raised above,
May reach His throne of glory
Who is mercy, truth and love.
Oh! not a joy or blessing
With this can we compare:
The power that he hath given us
To pour our hearts in prayer.
Whene'er thou pin'st in sadness
Before His footstool fall,
And remember in thy gladness
His grace who gave thee all.
--Jane C. Simpson.
More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats,
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer,
Both for themselves and those who call them friend.
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.
--Alfred Tennyson.