African American Poetry (1870-1928): A Digital Anthology

J. Pauline Smith, "A Prayer" (1922)

 A PRAYER 
 
 Use me, Lord, use me for my race, 
 To send their status up a pace; 
 To make their merits better known; 
 Hasten their coming to their own! 
 
 Use me, Lord, use me for Thy Church, 
 May lost ones never vainly search 
 For the glow of my small light 
 Out upon the world's dark night! 
 
 Use me, Lord, use for Thyself alone, 
 The life that's ransom'd by Thine own; 
 May it a living letter be— 
 With a message straight from Thee! 
 

Published in Exceeding Riches, 1922

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