Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Time for Prayer

The Time for Prayer.

When is the time for prayer? With the first beams that light the morning sky,Ere for the toils of day thou dost prepare, Lift up thy thoughts on high;Commend thy loved ones to His watchful care:—Morn is the time for prayer!

And in the noontide hour, If worn by toil, or by sad cares opprest,Then unto God thy spirit's sorrow pour, And He will give thee rest:Thy voice shall reach Him through the fields of air:—Noon is the time for prayer!

When the bright sun hath set— Whilst yet eve's glowing colours deck the skies—When with the loved, at home, again thou'st met, Then let thy prayer ariseFor those who in thy joys and sorrows share:—Eve is the time for prayer!

And when the stars come forth— When to the trusting heart sweet hopes are given,And the deep stillness of the hour gives birth To pure, bright dreams of heaven—Kneel to thy God, ask strength life's ills to bear:—Night is the time for prayer!

When is the time for prayer? In every hour, while life is spared to thee—In crowds or solitude, in joy or care- Thy thoughts should heavenward flee.At home—at morn and eve—with loved ones there,Bend thou the knee in prayer!