From a convert in Uganda
Comes to us a story – grander
In the lesson that it teaches
Than a sermon someone preaches;
For it tells what sore temptations
Come to them, what need of patience,
And a need – all else outweighing –
Of a place for private praying
So each convert chose a
corner
Far away from eyes of scorner,
In the jungle, where he could
Pray to God in solitude.
And so often he went thither
That the grass would fade and wither
Where he trod, and you can trace
By the paths each praying place.
If they bear the evil
tidings
Of a brother’s late backslidings,
And if some are even saying,
‘He no longer cares for praying;’
Then they say to one another,
Softly and so gently, ‘Brother,
Do forgive us now for showing
On your path the grass is growing.’
And the erring one,
relenting,
Soon is bitterly repenting.
On my path the grass is growing;
But it shall be so no longer,
Prayer I need to make me stronger;
On my path I’ll oft be going –
Soon no grass will there be showing.
“Pray without
ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“And he spake a
parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to
faint” Luke 18:1
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:6
Page created 1 July 2006