Father of Light! great God of Heaven!
Hear'st thou the accents of despair?
Can guilt like man's read more

Father of Light! great God of Heaven!
Hear'st thou the accents of despair?
Can guilt like man's be e'er forgiven?
Can vice atone for crimes by prayer?

In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.

In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.

Father! no prophet's laws I seek,--
Thy laws in Nature's works appear;--
I own myself corrupt and read more

Father! no prophet's laws I seek,--
Thy laws in Nature's works appear;--
I own myself corrupt and weak,
Yet will I pray, for thou wilt hear.

I ask not a life for the dear ones,
All radiant, as others have done,
But that read more

I ask not a life for the dear ones,
All radiant, as others have done,
But that life may have just enough shadow
To temper the glare of the sun;
I would pray God to guard them from evil,
But my prayer would bound back to myself:
Ah! a seraph may pray for a sinner,
But a sinner must pray for himself.

Just my vengeance complete,
The man sprang to his feet,
Stood erect, caught at God's skirts, and read more

Just my vengeance complete,
The man sprang to his feet,
Stood erect, caught at God's skirts, and prayed!
So, I was afraid!

Don't pray for lighter burdens, but for stronger backs.

Don't pray for lighter burdens, but for stronger backs.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be read more

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

But maybe prayer is a road to rise,
A mountain path leading toward the skies
To assist read more

But maybe prayer is a road to rise,
A mountain path leading toward the skies
To assist the spirit who truly tries.
But it isn't a shibboleth, creed, nor code,
It isn't a pack-horse to carry your load,
It isn't a wagon, it's only a road.
And perhaps the reward of the spirit who tries
Is not the goal, but the exercise!

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.