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1850–1919

PRAYER

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Lord, let us pray. Give us the open mind, O God, The mind that dares believe In paths of thought as yet untrod;

The mind that can conceive Large visions of a wider way Than circumscribes our world to-day. May tolerance temper our own faith,

However great our zeal; When others speak of life and death, Let us not plunge a steel Into the heart of one who talks

In terms we deem unorthodox. Help us to send our thoughts through space, Where worlds in trillions roll, Each fashioned for its time and place,

Each portion of the whole; Till our weak minds may feel a sense Of Thy Supreme Omnipotence. Let us not shame Thee with a creed

That builds a costly church, But blinds us to a brother's need Because he dares to search For truth in his own soul and heart

And finds his church in home and mart. Give us the faith that makes us kind, Give us the open sight and mind - O God, the often mind

That lifts itself to meet the Ray Of the New Dawning Day: Lord, let us pray.

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PRAYER · Ella Wheeler Wilcox · Poetry Cove