Poems by Ruth Bell Graham

The Man I Prayed For

Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid

(as we’re inclined to do),

I do not need a handsome man

but let him be like You;

I do not need one big and strong

nor yet so very tall,

nor need he be some genius,

or wealthy, Lord, at all;

but let his head be high, dear God,

and let his eye be clear,

his shoulders straight, whate’er his state,

whate’er his earthly sphere;

and let his face have character,

a ruggedness of soul,

and let his whole life show, dear God,

a singleness of goal;

then when he comes

(as he will come)

with quiet eyes aglow,

I’ll understand that he’s the man

I prayed for long ago.

Only You

Dusty my soul tonight.

Earth has been dear.

Bewildered, I come to You,

Father God, hear.

Idols that charm me,

dreams that allure,

pains that alarm me,

suspense to endure,

memories that linger,

thoughts that ensnare,

a heart that is aching,

all crumpled by care,

unsatisfied, restless,

scarce able to pray—

everything, everything

take it away.

Only You,

none but You,

Jesus alone:

ashes the rest to me,

songs with a groan,

take them each one away—

mind not my tears—

lift me above this earth’s

joys and its fears,

give me Yourself alone—

nothing beside—

so will I be with You,

content,

satisfied!

Time to Adore

And when I die

I hope my soul ascends

slowly, so that I

may watch the earth receding

out of sight,

its vastness growing smaller as I rise,

savoring its recession with delight.

Anticipating joy is itself a joy.

And joy unspeakable

and full of glory needs more

than “in the twinkling of an eye,”

more than “in a moment.”

Lord, who am I to disagree?

It’s only we have much to leave behind;

so much ... Before.

These moments of transition

will, for me,

be time to adore.

Comments

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