PRAYER AND ASSURANCE by Lilla D. Avery

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 18, 1877

PRAYER AND ASSURANCE.

By Lilla D. Avery

O Thou who dwell'st on high and dost behold With tender love the creatures of thy care, And dost in majesty and strength uphold The starry hosts that glimmer bright and fair, And guidest the planets round the fiery sun, I humbly ask thine aid, Eternal One!

O Great Jehovah, grant to hear my cry, My feet are weary, and the way is long, The fearful tempest sweeps along the sky, And Earth is filled with violence and wrong— O lead me gently o'er the dark'ning way. I'm weak, and fainting; give me strength, I pray.

Mine own unworthiness, dear Lord, I feel; My foolish heart is full of guilt within. I pray in mercy thou wilt kindly deal, And grant to pardon all my pride and sin. In thy great goodness, Father, I will trust, For thou dost know that I am “only dust.”

I'm weak and sinful, and my need is sore, There's nothing good within my heart, I own; I feel my weakness, Father, more and more; I'm poor and needy, desolate and lone. Regard me gently from thy throne above, And give me, Lord, a token of thy love.

Poor, faithless child!—a token dost thou crave? How canst thou doubt thy Father's care for thee? Dost thou not know my mighty power to save? My strength, my wisdom, mine immensity? No longer doubt thy Father's love and power, That doth sustain and bless thee every hour.

Lift up thine eyes, my child, no longer fear; Bright streaks of crimson light the distant west; The morning dawns! The glorious day is near When toil is changed to everlasting rest. Then wait in patience; thy reward is sure, If to the weary end thou shalt endure.

LILLA D. AVERY.

Locke, Mich., Dec. 9, 1876.