Two Prayers

God used parts of the following song-prayers to remind me of truth this evening.

"Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

"Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind;
I see Thy cross--there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find.

Teach me to feel that Thou are always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer."

George Croly, "Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart"

It's a comfort that Mr. Croly understood the soul struggles, the rising doubt, and the rebel sigh. Mr. Croly didn't know me, but the Spirit who inspired him to write surely does. And makes my prayers effective before the One who will answer my prayers for help.

"Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our fev'rish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind;
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper rev'rence, praise.

"Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

"Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still small voice of calm!

John G. Whittier, "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"

I love how words express thoughts and ideas. I want God's peace to shine through my life. I want my flesh to die and my heart-ears to be open to His gentle voice.