Prayer (Poem)
Dublin Core
Title
Prayer (Poem)
Description
In the following brief prayer, the wants of the humble Christian are condensed in a manner worthy of Quarles or Herbert:
PRAYER
BY THOMAS ELWOOD, A QUAKER OF 1600
Oh! that mine eyes might closed be
To what concerns me not to see--
That deafness might possess mine ear
To what concerns me not to hear;
That truth my tongue might always tie
From ever speaking foolishly;
That no vain thought might ever rest
Or be conceived in my breast;
That by each word and deed and thought,
Glory may to my God be brought!
But what are wishes? Lord, mine eye
On Thee is fixed, to Thee I cry--
Wash, Lord, and purify my heart,
And make it clean in every part;
And when 'tis clean, Lord, keep it too,
For that is more than I can do.
PRAYER
BY THOMAS ELWOOD, A QUAKER OF 1600
Oh! that mine eyes might closed be
To what concerns me not to see--
That deafness might possess mine ear
To what concerns me not to hear;
That truth my tongue might always tie
From ever speaking foolishly;
That no vain thought might ever rest
Or be conceived in my breast;
That by each word and deed and thought,
Glory may to my God be brought!
But what are wishes? Lord, mine eye
On Thee is fixed, to Thee I cry--
Wash, Lord, and purify my heart,
And make it clean in every part;
And when 'tis clean, Lord, keep it too,
For that is more than I can do.
Creator
Thomas Elwood
Source
The Non-Slaveholder 2:2, p. 48
Date
1.2.1847
Collection
Citation
Thomas Elwood, “Prayer (Poem),” No Stain of Tears and Blood, accessed October 22, 2026, https://productsoffreelabor.com/items/show/93.
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