The Doubter’s Prayer
Eternal Power, of earth and air!Unseen, yet seen in all around,Remote, but dwelling everywhere,Though silent, heard in every sound;
If e’er thine ear in mercy bent,When wretched mortals cried to Thee,And if, indeed, Thy Son was sent,To save lost sinners such as me:
Then hear me now, while kneeling here,I lift to thee my heart and eye,And all my soul ascends in prayer,OH, GIVE ME—GIVE ME FAITH! I cry.
Without some glimmering in my heart,I could not raise this fervent prayer;But, oh! a stronger light impart,And in Thy mercy fix it there.
While Faith is with me, I am blest;It turns my darkest night to day;But while I clasp it to my breast,I often feel it slide away.
Then, cold and dark, my spirit sinks,To see my light of life depart;And every fiend of Hell, methinks,Enjoys the anguish of my heart.
What shall I do, if all my love,My hopes, my toil, are cast away,And if there be no God above,To hear and bless me when I pray?
If this be vain delusion all,If death be an eternal sleep,And none can hear my secret call,Or see the silent tears I weep!
Oh, help me, God! For thou aloneCanst my distracted soul relieve;Forsake it not: it is thine own,Though weak, yet longing to believe.
Oh, drive these cruel doubts away;And make me know, that Thou art God!A faith, that shines by night and day,Will lighten every earthly load.
If I believe that Jesus died,And waking, rose to reign above;Then surely Sorrow, Sin, and Pride,Must yield to Peace, and Hope, and Love.
And all the blessed words He saidWill strength and holy joy impart:A shield of safety o’er my head,A spring of comfort in my heart.