Inspired by George Herbert’s poem on prayer.

Prayer, the Golden Chain Binding the Royally Redeemed
to the Throne of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Prayer, the Church’s hidden flame,
A spark from heaven’s boundless forge,
The soul’s soft plea, the heart’s calm balm,
A wing that lifts where tempests gorge.

The merchant’s gain through tides that roar,
The pilgrim’s staff on paths untrod,
The lover’s sigh at midnight’s door,
The watchman’s call beneath the sod.

Prayer, the Golden Chain Binding the Royally Redeemed
to the Throne of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Prayer, the Church’s hidden flame,
A spark from heaven’s boundless forge,
The soul’s soft plea, the heart’s calm balm,
A wing that lifts where tempests gorge.

The merchant’s gain through tides that roar,
The pilgrim’s staff on paths untrod,
The lover’s sigh at midnight’s door,
The watchman’s call beneath the sod.

A golden chain that binds the royally redeemed
To thrones where heaven’s chorus rings,
Where seraphim their worship bring,
A silent stream, a gracious trust,
The key that opes the eternal spring.

The widow’s mite, the orphan’s cry,
The broken reed that still can sound,
A bridge o’er chasms none deny,
A circle where lost joys are found.

The soldier’s shield in battle’s din,
The sailor’s star through storms that rend,
The poet’s muse, the seraph’s hymn,
The Alpha and the world’s great End.

Earth’s voice rising like the flood,
The seal of saints, the martyrs’ crown,
The heart where God Himself will bide,
Prayer—God’s breath and crown.