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James Whitcomb Riley

The Prayer Perfect

Dear Lord! kind Lord!

Gracious Lord! I pray

Thou wilt look on all I love,

Tenderly to-day!

Weed their hearts of weariness;

Scatter every care

Down a wake of angel-wings

Winnowing the air.


Bring unto the sorrowing

All release from pain;

Let the lips of laughter

Overflow again;

And with all the needy

O divide, I pray,

This vast treasure of content

That is mine to-day!