Now Death is near, and very near, <br />In this wild whirl of horror and fear, <br />When round the vessel of our State <br />Roll the great mountain waves of hate. <br />God! We have but one prayer to-day - <br />O Father, teach us how to pray. <br /> <br />For prayer is strong, and very strong; <br />But we have turned from Thee so long <br />To follow gods that have no power <br />Save in the safe and sordid hour, <br />That to Thy feet we have lost the way . . . <br />O Father, teach us how to pray. <br /> <br />We have done ill, and very ill, <br />Set up our will against Thy will. <br />That our soft lives might gorge, full-fed, <br />We stole our brothers' daily bread. <br />Lord, we are sorry we went astray - <br />O Father, teach us how to pray. <br /> <br />Now in this hour of desperate strife <br />For England's life, her very life, <br />Teach us to pray that life may be <br />A new life, beautiful to Thee, <br />And in Thy hands that life to lay. <br />O Father, teach us how to pray.<br /><br />Edith Nesbit<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/prayer-in-time-of-war/
