Poems (Hoffman)/The Answered Prayer

by Martha Lavinia Hoffman

For works with similar titles, see The Answered Prayer.

THE ANSWERED PRAYER.

Had I not trusted in Thee,
 O Saviour of mankind,
The darkness would engulf me now
 That lies so far behind.
Lost in the dizzy whirlpool
 Of doubting and despair,
There seemed no friend to pity,
 None who could save was there.
I waited, prayed and trusted,
 And God hath heard my prayer.

Had I not trusted in Thee,
 When in mad waters whirled,
I dare not contemplate the wreck
 On rock and chasm hurled.
Because I trusted in Thee,
 With sails all torn and riven,
With shattered mast and pennon,
 And all on sharp rocks driven,
Behold the morning dawneth,
 And Thou hast heard from Heaven!

Had I not waited, praying
 That long, long night of gloom,
I never should have crossed the bar,
 Or reached my haven home.
But when earth sends no helper,
 God's watch-care shall avail;
He held those crashing timbers,
 He hushed that angry gale,
He lighted on those bowlders
 Lamps that shall never fail.

My heart goes out to rescue,
 From ruin and despair,
The weak and feeble-hearted ones,
 Who perish without prayer.
No hope in hardened hearts,
 Upon sin-stained lips no word
Repentant, or believing
 The mercy of the Lord;
While my prayers change to praises
 To God, for He hath heard.

Then pray though wordless, voiceless,
 Thy soul's desire arise;
Though drowned in human sorrows,
 He hears the raven's cries.
Remembering our weakness,
 Our fallen low estate;
His loving kindness is so strong,
 His tenderness so great.
He guides us when we trust Him,
 He saves us while we wait.