By Schubert Ogden
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11. Some of you may already be familiar with the witness that has come down to us simply as the prayer of an unknown Confederate soldier. In point of fact, it is a "prayer" only in the broad sense in which, as we've seen, any Christian witness can be said to be such. Even so, I want to conclude with it because both its honesty and its wisdom on the whole question of prayer remain, in my experience, unsurpassed.
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I asked God for strength, that I might achieve
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. . .
I asked for health, that I might do greater things
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. . .
I asked for riches, that I might be happy
I was given poverty, that I might be wise. . .
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. . .
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things . . .
I got nothing I asked for --
but everything I had hoped for
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered
I among all men most richly blessed! |
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church 24 February 2002
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