ON PRAYER

JOSEPH JOHN GURNEY

Thrice every day on bended knee,
  The mighty prophet fell,
In prayer, O Lord, to plead with thee,
  And all thy praise to tell.

"Thine is the power, my God," he cried;
 "The righteousness is thine;
On us, despair and shame abide,
  Until thy mercies shine.

Like sheep on yonder mountain's brow,
  Thy people far stray,
Have ceased their shepherd's voice to know,
  And wander from his way.

Pleased with their painted idols still,
  And heedless of thy love,
They dare resist a father's will,
  Nor fear his curse to prove.

But in that boundless live, O Lord,
  Thy mercy yet display;
Ah! breath the spirit and the word,
  Ah! teach them to obey.

Wide is the breach the ruffians trod,
  The gaping wound is sore;
Then heal thy people, gracious God,
  Oh! heal them and restore!"
He prayed--and thou didst hear his prayer;
  Returning mercy shone
Upon the people of thy care,
  For they were still thine own.

Then where the howling desert lay,
  A voice was heard to cry--
Prepare, prepare the level way,
  For God himself is nigh.

In mighty love, in matchless power,
  He leads the nations on;
Jerusalem doth bless this hour,
  Her victory is won.

Israel is taught thy peace to know,
  Sweet peace without alloy;
And streams of soft contrition flow,
  Mixed with her tears of joy.

Jehovah, thou who answerest prayer,
  And know'st the sinner's plea,
'T is ours a heavier chain to bear,--
  Then draw us, Lord, to thee.

Satan and sin with strength combine,
  To sink the prison'd soul;
But Lord, omnipotence is thine,
  Thou, all their rage control.

Oh! set the captive free,
  Oh! cleave the galling chain;
Thou art the source of liberty,
  And be it thine to reign.