A Prayer by Charles Stelzle

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1911

A Prayer

By Charles Stelzle

x x x

Lord, teach me to pray. I do not know How I should speak to Thee; My best desires are unexpressed in words; There comes to me the consciousness That even now Thou knowest the things For which I crave.

Lord, hold Thou my hand. The path in which I walk is dim to see; But others walk it with me in the mist, And I recall that Thou hast walked it, too, And so I ask that I may not complain; Help me to be brave.

Lord, keep me from sin. I would that men Might think great things of Thee, Because Thy power hath kept me to the end. May I so live that none be made to fall Through act of mine, or foolish word; instead, May Thine own chivalry Inspire to save.

Lord, help me to live. Give me more power, That I to men may be, Forgetting self in Thy great ministry, A source of strength, as Thou wast while on earth. Give me the love that makes men suffer long, E’en though, like Thee, it lead Me to the grave.

— Charles Stelzle.