Prayer Poem

My husband was recently given a number of very old hymn books. In one of those books was a piece of newsprint paper with a short poem on it. The photo on the reverse of the poem was of a gathering of people whose clothing style says 1920's-1940's. The book itself was copyrighted in 1880. So I imagine the poem was written many, many years ago.

I play to use this poem in my retreat this Saturday, but thought I would also like to post it for any who would enjoy it.

Our Part In Prayer

Some go to God in prayer
As though they would be heard
By merit of their earnestness,
Or power of their word;
As though God did not want to bless,
Or to their crying heed,
If they could prove their need.
Some go to God in prayer
With broken, bleeding hearts,
Craving the peace and victory
Which He alone imparts,
They lay their burdens down
On shoulders that are strong,
Then take them back upon their own
And carry them along.
Some humbly talk with God;
Confess their helplessness,
And having laid their burdens down
Trust Him to do the rest.
Such go away in peace,
And with the victor's shout
To watch with interst, and see
How He will work things out.
---Barbara Ryberg