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The Answered Prayers


V. Raymond Edman, But God!, (Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids; 1962), p. 103

We know not what we should pray for as we ought - Romans 8:26.

I prayed for strength, and then I lost awhileAll sense of nearness, human and divine;The love I leaned on failed and pierced my heart;The hands I clung to loosed themselves from mine;But while I swayed, weak, trembling, and alone,The everlasting arms upheld my own.

I prayed for light; the sun went down in clouds,The moon was darkened by a misty doubt,The stars of heaven were dimmed by earthly fears,But all my little candle flames burned out;But while I sat in shadow, wrapped in night,The face of Christ made all the darkness bright.

I prayed for peace, and dreamed of restful ease,A slumber drugged from pain, a hushed repose;Above my head the skies were black with storm,And fiercer grew the onslaught of my foes;But while the battle raged, and wild winds blew,I heard His voice, and perfect peace I knew.

I thank Thee, Lord, Thou wert too wise to heed My feeble prayers, and answer as I sought,Since these rich gifts Thy bounty has bestowedHave brought me more than I had asked or thought.Giver of good, so answer each requestWith Thine own giving, better than my best.

- Annie Johnson Flint