A PRAYER by Lucy Larcom

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 21, 1874

A PRAYER.

By Lucy Larcom

A PRAYER is in my thoughts to-night I hardly dare to say— “Lord, put my wishes all to flight, Nor let me have my way!”

I dare not say it, Lord, for fear My heart I may mistake; So many earthly things are dear Perhaps, for earth’s own sake.

Nor can I think that thou art glad In life despoiled of bloom, Since for all joy the worlds have had Thyself hast opened room.

And yet the poison plant, so fair, So like the wholesome grows, To pluck my flowers I will not dare, But trust His hand who knows.

And this indeed is life’s best thing: To take sweet gifts from Thee. If thou some dark, sealed bud shouldst bring It must hold light for me.

In sadness I withheld my prayer, Hid under trembling fear; In praise it blossoms, unaware, Because the sun is near.

My heart thou wilt not crush or chill, “Lead into thine my way! Though all my wishes breathe thy will!” This prayer to-night I say. —Lucy Larcom.