Devotional Verses Founded on and Illustrative of select Texts of Scripture [by Bernard Barton] |
 |
PROMPT FORGIVENESS ENJOINED. |
 | Devotional Verses |  |
PROMPT FORGIVENESS ENJOINED.
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any.”
—Mark, xi. 25.
Wait not until prayer be ended,
To forgive thy direst foe;
With thy prayer be pardon blended,
If forgiveness thou wouldst know:
From this precept shouldst thou start,
Thine is not a praying heart.
To forgive thy direst foe;
With thy prayer be pardon blended,
If forgiveness thou wouldst know:
From this precept shouldst thou start,
Thine is not a praying heart.
Praying hearts can never cherish
Thoughts of bitterness, or strife;
In their presence soon must perish
Prayer's true element, and life:
If from faith thy prayer up-springs,
Love must lend it heaven-ward wings.
Thoughts of bitterness, or strife;
In their presence soon must perish
Prayer's true element, and life:
If from faith thy prayer up-springs,
Love must lend it heaven-ward wings.
171
Shouldst thou, then, in thy devotion,
Feel against thy brother aught,
Instantly, with deep emotion,
Check each unforgiving thought;
While thy heart resentment bears,
God will never hear thy prayers.
Feel against thy brother aught,
Instantly, with deep emotion,
Check each unforgiving thought;
While thy heart resentment bears,
God will never hear thy prayers.
Neither think thou of delaying;
Hatred on delay can live;—
Even while thou standest praying,
Freely, heartily forgive;
Or, whate'er thy sins may be,
Hope not God will pardon thee.
Hatred on delay can live;—
Even while thou standest praying,
Freely, heartily forgive;
Or, whate'er thy sins may be,
Hope not God will pardon thee.
Should thy resolution falter,
Hatred has thy heart defil'd;
Leave thy gift before the altar,
First to man be reconcil'd,—
Then, forgiveness having shown,
Pray, that it may be thine own.
Hatred has thy heart defil'd;
Leave thy gift before the altar,
First to man be reconcil'd,—
Then, forgiveness having shown,
Pray, that it may be thine own.
| Devotional Verses | |