Poem July 29, 1933 Issue

Answered Prayer

RUTH D. SMITH

Dear loving, all-wise Father, when I pray
Let me not with my feeble sense of good
Outline my needs or think to plan my way;
Thy guidance must be better understood—
More wisdom, Lord, must be my prayer today.

If I am trusting wealth to make me free,
When riches keep not sorrow from the heart,
Or if I feel that opportunity
Has granted me but small and meager part,
More gratitude then must I ask of Thee.

Perhaps my prayers for happiness depend
Too much on human agencies to find
That Love alone is man's unfailing friend,
Love steadfast, tender, infinitely kind!
For faith, dear Father, may my prayer ascend.

I would not in my ignorance implore
The God who gave the whole to give again,
But I would see the undiminished store
That lies before me. How can I ask when
All that Thou hast is mine forevermore!

Could I but learn to wait more trustingly
On Him who sees beyond the present need,
To clear and light the way ahead for me,
My prayers would shun earth-bound requests, and speed
The answered prayer of true humility.

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