VII. PRAYERS

a.

DESCRIPTIONS OF PRAYER

b. GENERAL PRAYERS

C. PRAYERS OF INVOCATION

d. PRAYERS FOR COMFORT IN PROSPECT OF

VII. PRAYERS

.. DESCRIPTIONS OF PRAYER

THE PEAKS

STEPHEN CRANE

In the night

Gray heavy clouds muffled the valleys

And the peaks looked toward God alone:

"O Master, that movest the wind with a finger,

Humble, idle, futile peaks are we,

Grant that we may run swiftly across the world

To huddle in worship at Thy feet."

In the morning

A noise of men at work came through the clear blue miles, And the little black cities were apparent.

"O Master, that knowest the meaning of raindrops,

Humble, idle, futile peaks are we,

Give voice, we pray, O Lord,

That we may sing thy goodness to the sun."

In the evening,

The far valleys were sprinkled with tiny lights,
O Master

Thou that knowest the value of kings and birds,
Thou hast made us humble, idle, futile peaks.
Thou only needest eternal patience;

We bow to Thy wisdom, O Lord-
Humble, idle, futile peaks."

In the night

Gray, heavy clouds muffled the valleys
And the peaks looked toward God alone.

THE RIGHT USE OF PRAYER

SIR AUBREY DE VERE

Therefore, when thou wouldst pray, or dost thine alms,
Blow not a trump before thee: Hypocrites
Do thus, vaingloriously; the common streets
Boast of their largess, echoing their psalms.
On such the laud of men, like unctuous balms,
Falls with sweet savor. Impious Counterfeits!
Prating of heaven, for earth their bosom beats!
Grasping at weeds, they lose immortal palms!

God needs not iteration nor vain cries:

That man communion with his God might share
Below, Christ gave the ordinance of prayer:
Vague bambages, and witless ecstasies,

Avail not: ere a voice to prayer be given
The heart should rise on wings of love to heaven.

WHAT IS PRAYER?

JAMES MONTGOMERY

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed-

The motion of a hidden fire,

That kindles in the breast.

Prayer is the burthen of a sigh,
The falling of a tear-
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try-

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And cry, "Behold! He prays!"

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath-
The Christian's native air-

His watchword at the gates of death-
He enters heaven with prayer.

The saints in prayer appear as one
In words and deed and mind,
Where with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

Nor prayer is made by man alone—
The holy spirit pleads-

And Jesus, on the eternal throne,
For sinners intercedes.

O Thou by whom we come to God-
The life, the truth, the way!
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray!

GOD PRAYS

ANGELA MORGAN

Last night I tossed and could not sleep
When sodden heavens weep and weep,
As they have wept for many a day,
One lies awake to fear and pray,
One thinks of bodies blown like hail
Across the sky where angels quail;
One's sickened pulses leap and hark
To hear the horror in the dark.
What is thy will for the people, God?
Thy will for the people, tell it me!