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A Prayer
Prayer gives us a way to bring our thoughts, worries, hopes, and gratitude before God. These prayers reflect on asking for His help as we face each day, seeking the strength to live according to His ways, and learning to accept His will even when we do not understand what lies ahead.
The words of Max Ehrmann, Alexander Pope, Helen G. Rice, and an unknown poet remind us that prayer can touch every part of life. We can pray for courage, mercy, peace, wisdom, hope, and the willingness to serve others. May these prayers encourage you to spend time with God and trust Him with each day.
Updated September 30, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
A Prayer
Poet: Max Ehrmann
Let me do my work each day;
And if the darkened hours of despair overcome me,
May I not forget the strength that comforted me
In the desolation of other times.
May I still remember the bright hours that found me
Walking over the silent hills of my childhood,
Or dreaming on the margin of a quiet river,
When a light glowed within me,
And I promised my early God to have courage
Amid the tempests of the changing years.
Spare me from bitterness
And from the sharp passions of unguarded moments.
May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit.
Though the world knows me not,
May my thoughts and actions be such
As shall keep me friendly with myself.
Lift up my eyes from the earth,
And let me not forget the uses of the stars.
Forbid that I should judge others
Lest I condemn myself.
Let me not follow the clamor of the world,
But walk calmly in my path.
Give me a few friends who will love me for what I am;
And keep ever burning before my vagrant steps
The kindly light of hope.
And though age and infirmity overtake me,
And I come not within
Sight of the castle of my dreams,
Teach me still to be thankful for life,
And for time's olden memories that are good and sweet;
And may the evening's twilight find me gentle still.
A Universal Prayer
Poet: Alexander Pope
Teach me to feel another's woe,
To hide the fault I see;
That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me.
If I am right, thy grace impart,
Still in the right to stay;
If I am wrong, teach my heart
To find that better way.
This day, be bread and peace my lot;
All else beneath the sun.
Thou know'st if best bestow 'd or not.
And let thy will be done.
Thy Kingdom Come
Poet: Helen G. Rice
Lord, when we pray, "Thy kingdom come,"
Then fold our hands, without a care
For souls whom Jesus died to save,
We do but mock Thee with our prayer.
Thou couldst have sent an angel-band
To call Thy straying children home,
And thus, through heavenly ministries
On earth Thy kingdom might have come.
But, since to human hands like ours
Thou hast intrusted work divine,
Shall not our eager hearts make haste
To join their feeble powers with Thine?
To work and word shall not our hands
Rejoicing move, nor lips be dumb, —
Lest, through our sinful love of ease,
Thy kingdom should delay to come?
To hold our every power and thought
Obedient to Thy least command,
Whether Thy blessed purposes
We can, or cannot, understand;
To sow the seed in every soil;
To bring the word of life to men;
To give, as Thou hast given to us,
Hoping for no reward again, —
To do all this, while in our thought
No pride or vain self-trust finds room,
This is to pray, with honest heart,
And purpose true, — "Thy kingdom come."
Christ's Grace
Poet: Unknown
Lord! We would put aside
The gauds and baubles of this mortal life
Weak self-conceit, the foolish tools of strife,
The tawdry garb of pride
And pray, in Christ's dear name,
Thy grace to deck us in the robes of light;
That at His coming we may see aright,
And fear no sudden shame.
Key Reflections In These Prayers
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Ask God For Strength Each Day
We do not have to face every difficulty through our own strength. Prayer gives us an opportunity to ask God for courage, guidance, and the strength to continue when life becomes difficult.
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Show Mercy And Grace To Others
These prayers remind us to look beyond ourselves and consider how we treat the people around us. Mercy, understanding, and kindness can become part of the way we live out our faith each day.
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Accept God's Will
We may not always understand God's purposes or know what the future will bring. Prayer can help us place our plans in His hands and trust Him even when the way ahead is uncertain.
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Let Prayer Lead To Action
Prayer is not only about the words we speak to God. These verses encourage us to carry our prayers into daily life through service, compassion, obedience, and care for others.
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When the way ahead feels uncertain, these Trust In God Poems offer encouragement to place your faith in His guidance.
Conclusion
These prayers remind us that we can bring every part of our lives before God. We can ask Him for courage when we are discouraged, wisdom when we are uncertain, mercy in the way we treat others, and strength to accept His will. Prayer does not have to be complicated. It can simply be an honest conversation with God about what is on our hearts.
As you go through your day, remember that you can talk to God at any time. Thank Him for your blessings, share your worries and needs, and remember those who need His help. May these prayers encourage you to draw closer to Him and to carry the lessons of prayer into the way you live and care for others.
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