AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO EARNEST AND IMPORTUNATE PRAYER.
“And he spake a Parable unto them, to this End, that Men always
ought to pray, and not to faint.”—St. Luke, xviii. 1.
I
A blessèd Truth for Parable to paint,
That “Men should always pray, and never faint!”
Just the Reverse of this would Satan say,
That “Men should always faint, and never pray.”
He wants to drive poor Sinners to Despair,—
And Christ, to save them by prevailing Pray'r.
II
The Judge who fearèd neither God nor Man,
Despis'd the Widow when she first began
Her just Request; but she, continuing on
The same Petition, wearied him anon;
He could not bear to hear her praying still,
And did her Justice, tho' against his Will.
III
Can Perseverance force a Man unjust
To execute, however loth, his Trust?
And will not God, Whose Fatherly Delight
Is to save Souls, so precious in His Sight,
Hear his own Offspring's persevering Call,
And give the Blessing which He has for all?
IV
Yes, to be sure, He will; the lying “No”
Is a downright Temptation of the Foe,
Who first emboldens Sinners to presume,
As if a righteous Judgment had no Room;
And, having led them into grievous Faults,
With the Despair of Mercy then assaults.
V
Dear Soul, if thou hast listen'd to the Lies
Which, at the first, the Tempter would devise,
Let him not cheat thee with a second Snare,
And drag thee into Darkness by Despair;
Pray against all his Wiles; for God will hear,
And will avenge thee of him, never fear!
VI
He gives the Grace to sorrow for thy Sin,
The Sign of kindling Penitence within.
Let not the Smoke disturb thee; for, no doubt,
The Light and Flame will follow, and break out;
And Love arise to overcome Restraint:
That Thou may'st “always pray, and never faint!”
