Poems (Dodd)/A Prayer

by Mary Ann Hammer Dodd

For works with similar titles, see Prayer.

A PRAYER.

O, Father! make my bosom right within;Cleanse thou my spirit from all stain of sin;Bid every dark temptation far depart;Grant me the blessing of "the pure in heart."

I would still walk beneath thy watchful eye,With an abiding sense that thou art nigh,Noting my actions with a searching look,Reading my thoughts as from an unsealed book.

If I have sought to wear a meek disguise,E'en while I turned to vanity mine eyes;If calm my brow, while waves of passion rollWithin the secret chambers of my soul;

Lord, at thy footstool bending low, I prayThat thou wilt wash my guilty thoughts away;Thine own restoring influence impart,And keep me now, and ever, pure in heart.