A Prayer

God grant me kindly thought
   And patience through the day,
And in the things I've wrought,
   Let no man living say
That hate's grim mark has stained
What little joy I've gained.

God keep my nature sweet,
   Teach me to bear a blow,
Disaster and defeat,
   And no resentment show.
If failure must be mine,
Sustain this soul of mine.

God grant me strength to face
   Undaunted day or night;
To stoop to no disgrace
   To win my little fight;
Let me be, when it is o'er,
As manly as before.

           ~ Edgar A. Guest

The Larger Prayer

At first I prayed for Light:
   Could I but see the way,
How gladly, swiftly would I walk
   To everlasting day!

And next I prayed for Strength:
   That I might tread the road
With firm, unfaltering feet, and win
   The heaven's serene abode.

And then I asked for Faith:
   Could I but trust my God,
I'd live enfolded in His peace,
   Though foes were all abroad.

But now I pray for Love:
   Deep love to God and man,
A living love that will not fail,
   However dark His plan.

And Light and Strength and Faith
   Are opening everywhere;
God only waited for me, till
   I prayed the larger prayer.

                ~ Edna D. Cheney

Unity Is Strength

One little prayer ascending
   From a man bowed low in prayer
Can pierce the highest heavens
   And bring down blessings rare.

Where two or three are gathered
   (We have it on God's word)
There God is in the midst of them,
   Their prayer is surely heard.

Then let us pray together
   The greatest prayer, God's own--
Father, who art in heaven,
   We cry in suppliant tone.

Forgive us all our trespasses,
   Thy holy will be done,
Thy name we'll spread in every clime
   Till all the fold is one.

Give us this day our daily bread,
   Temptations keep at bay--
And strength will come with unity,
   When all together pray.

               ~ Rev. Thomas Foy