Poems of Optimism/The secret of prayer

For he who climbs to say his prayer Meets half way the descending Grace.

ELSA BARKER, in British Review.

This is the secret of all prayers That in God’s sight have worth, They must be uttered from the stairs That wind away from earth; And he who mounts to speak the word, He shall be heard. He shall be heard.

And he who will not leave himself, But stays down with his cares, Or with his thoughts of pride and pelf, Though loud and long his prayers, Beyond earth’s dome of arching skies They shall not rise. They shall not rise.

Oh, ye who seek for strength and power Seek first some quiet spot, And fashion through a silent hour Your stairway, thought by thought; Then climb, and pray to God on high: He shall reply. He shall reply.