Category Archives: Poem

Election Day Prayer: Recessional

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Recessional

God of our fathers, known of old,   
   Lord of our far-flung battle-line,   
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold
   Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,   
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;
   The Captains and the Kings depart:   
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
   An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,   
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;
   On dune and headland sinks the fire:   
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
   Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!   
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,   
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose   
   Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe,   
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
   Or lesser breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust   
   In reeking tube and iron shard,
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
   And guarding, calls not Thee to guard,   
For frantic boast and foolish word—
Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord!
Rudyard Kipling, 1897
Source: A Choice of Kipling’s Verse (1943)

Monday Prayer: Hymn to Christ

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You who bridles untamed colts, 
Who gives flight to birds, 
Who steers ships along their course, 
Tame our wild hearts, 
Lift our souls to you, 
Steer us toward the safe harbor of your love. 
King of the saints, 
Invincible Lord of the Father, 
Prince of wisdom, 
Source of joy, 
Savior of our race, 
Cultivator of all life, 
Guardian of our desires, 
Whose sure hand guides us to heaven. 
Fisher of mean, 
You cast out the sweet bait of your gospel, 
You draw us out of the waters of sin, 
Shepherd of men, 
You call us with your sweet, gentle voice, 
You invite us into your eternal sheepfold. 
Fountain of mercy, 
Light of truth, 
Faith without limits, 
Love without end, 
Exemplar of virtue, 
Proclaimer of justice, 
Leader of men, 
Your footprints show the way to heaven. 
Mother of your people, 
Your celestial breasts give pure spiritual milk. 
You slake the thirst of all who have faith. 
Bridegroom of your people, 
Your celestial beauty inspires us to sing your praises, 
You lift our voices with hymns of everlasting praise. 
-Clement of Alexandria
cross-posted at RevGalPrayerPals