A Prayer for Love by Arthur W. Spaulding

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 20, 1916

A Prayer for Love

By Arthur W. Spaulding

ARTHUR W. SPAULDING

LORD, not for power I pray, in need or whim To make men gape at splendor of my rule; Though much is his, and much is due from him, That binds the froward and outwits the fool. But not for power to make supreme my sway, No, not for power to rule for thee, I pray.

Lord, not for eloquence to charm the crowd With sounding periods voiced, or plaudits sung, Though blest is he that can abase the proud And cheer the humble by his facile tongue; Yet, Lord, for fervor of the spoken word, For eloquence, let not my prayer be heard.

Not, Lord, for judgment do I make my prayer, For keen and critic insight into wrong; Though he that judgeth doth all honor bear, To help the feeble and to guide the strong, Yet now I covet not the piercing sword: Give me not judgment with my frailty, Lord.

But one full boon from thee, O Lord, I crave: The gift of loving, not to be denied; That though myself I cannot, would not save, I may reveal the spirit of the Crucified; That whether loved or hated, bound or free, I may, by loving, make men more like thee,