Poem August 20, 1984 Issue

"Lord, teach us to pray"

Luke 11:1

MICHAEL WILLIAM HAMILTON

My cry, "How long, Lord?"
translated, unadmitted to,
"How wrong, Lord,
I have been to trust in You!"
That uncovering
tore conceit
from my pleading,
exposed stark lines
of anger
at what I called
unanswered prayer.
Dishonest entreaty hid
an inner insistence
gently urging
Christian self-correction,
trustworthiness ripening
from more spiritual affections.

Awakened to deeper needs
I begin again,
now joying in Principle
as eager reflection,
and asking, "Lord,
teach me to pray."

MICHAEL WILLIAM HAMILTON

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