A prayer

Lord, help us pray this prayer with earnest intent.

“Lord, here I hold within my trembling hand
This will of mine—a thing which seemeth small;
And only thou, O Christ, canst understand
How, when I yield thee this, I yield mine all.

It hath been wet with tears, and stained with sighs
Clenched in my grasp till beauty hath it none;
Now, from the footstool where it prostrate lies
Thy prayer ascendeth, Let thy will be done.”

From “The Hidden Life of Prayer,” by David MacIntyre.