Spiritual Refreshment by Minnie Embree Parker

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 12, 1910

Spiritual Refreshment

By Minnie Embree Parker

I SAID, "I will search the Scriptures, And will find some chance to pray; Tho my work is sorely pressing, I will take some time to-day."

But the moments swiftly passing Brought each its load of care; And among my many duties I found no time for prayer.

But ere upon my pillow I laid my weary head, I went to my heavenly Father, And something like this I said:

"My Father, O, please forgive me. I've neglected Thy Word to-day; And I felt so sure this morning I would read the Bible and pray.

"Now I feel the day is wasted. O, Father, forgive my sin, And in Thy infinite mercy Make me all pure within."

I arose from my knees forgiven, And took the neglected Book To read from its blessed pages A verse, where I chanced to look.

Such beautiful thoughts unfolded, That my weariness fled away, And mine was the rest and gladness Which comes when we read and pray.

So now I would no more enter A day, in my strength alone, Thinking, amid its duties, Sometime I'll approach God's throne.

His Word I will take at morning, Ere the cares of the day begin; I will give some to Jesus, That my heart may be kept from sin.

I will study His Word as often As I eat of my daily bread; For my soul, as well as my body, Has need to be often fed.

My Father, I feel my weakness; O, give me the bread of life, To nourish my faltering spirit, To strengthen me in the strife,

To keep me each hour and moment Through my journey on earth below, To lead to that life eternal Where His fulness we all shall know.