Prayer for the Unconverted

 Buried deep in an old, mostly-forgotten anthology of poetry, I found this little gem from Newman Hall—a poem that expresses in rhyme and meter the longing of many a Christian heart. May it give you words to pray for “those who do not pray, who waste away salvation’s day.”

We pray for those who do not pray!

Who waste away salvation’s day;

For those we love who love not Thee—

Our grief, their danger, pitying see.

Those for whom many tears are shed

And blessings breathed upon their head,

The children of thy people save

From godless life and hopeless grave.

Hear fathers, mothers, as they pray

For sons, for daughters, far away—

Brother for brother, friend for friend—

Hear all our prayers that upward blend.

We pray for those who long have heard

But still neglect Thy gracious Word;

Soften the hearts obdurate made

By calls unheeded; vows delayed.

Release the drunkard from his chain,

Bare those beguiled by pleasure vain,

Set free the slaves of lust, and bring

Back to their home the wandering.

The hopeless cheer; guide those who doubt;

Restore the lost; cast no one out;

For all that are far off we pray,

Since we were once far off as they.