Thou Christ of mine, Thy gracious ear low bending <br /> Through these glad New Year days, <br />To catch the countless prayers to heaven ascending – <br /> For e’en hard hearts do raise <br />Some secret wish for fame, or gold, or power, <br /> Or freedom from all care – <br />Dear, patient Christ, who listeneth hour on hour, <br /> Hear now a Christian’s prayer. <br /> <br />Let this young year, silent, walks beside me, <br /> Be as a means of grace <br />To lead me up, no matter what betide me, <br /> Nearer the Master’s face. <br />If it need be ere I reach the Fountain <br /> Where living waters play, <br />My feet should bleed from sharp stones on the mountain, <br /> Then cast them in my way. <br /> <br />If my vain soul needs blows and bitter losses <br /> To shape it for Thy crown, <br />Then bruise it, burn it, burden it with crosses, <br /> With sorrows bear it down. <br />Do what Thou wilt to mould me to Thy pleasure, <br /> And if I should complain, <br />Heap full of anguish yet another measure <br /> Until I smile at pain. <br />Send dangers – deaths! but tell me how to dare them; <br /> Enfold me in Thy care. <br />Send trials, tears! but give me strength to bear them – <br /> This is a Christian’s prayer.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-christian-s-new-year-prayer/
