POETRY CORNER: THE WOMAN'S PRAYER

In the hustle and bustle of a high-pressure job, keeping house for my husband, taking care of five school-age children, working in the church, and participating in civic affairs, I was not sure of what my priorities should be. So I sat in the church one afternoon, watching the sun streaming through the stained-glass windows, and accepted the peace which He offered. The following lines of poetry filled my mind, and I set them to music:

I kneel in prayer, my daily tasks are o'er.

I long for peace, my refuge is the Lord.

Quiet my soul, oh give me inward calm.

Thy hand upon my heart is healing balm.

Give me the courage for another day.

Send me thy truth, a lamp to guide my way.

Help me to go through life with open heart.

Then I will have your peace, a world apart.

Help me to be all that a wife should be.

Give strength and faith, and humbleness to me.

Help me to lead my children in your way.

And thank you, Lord, for giving me this day.

I come to Thee, oh Savior hear my call.

I come to Thee, I love Thee most of all.

I come to Thee, sweet Jesus hear my plea,

And grant me refuge when I come to Thee.

(Editor's note: Dolly Dambach's poems will begin appearing in the USA Signal Poetry Corner this week. Poems are from her book, With God's Help, copywrited in 1999. Preceding each poem is her preface, as it appears before that poem in her book. Her poems will appear in order.)