I Knelt to Pray

I knelt to pray as day began
And prayed, "Oh God, bless every man.
Lift from each weary heart some pain
And let the sick be well again."

And then I rose to meet the day
And thoughtlessly went on my way
I didn't try to dry a tear
Or take the time a grief to hear.

I took no steps to ease a load
Of hard-pressed travelers on the road;
I didn't even go to see
The sick friend who lives next to me

But then again when day was done
I prayed "Oh God bless everyone"
But as I prayed a voice rang clear
Instructing me to think and hear

"Consult your own heart as you pray;
What good have you performed today?
God's choicest blessings are bestowed
On those who help him bear the load."

And then I hid my face and cried,
"Forgive me, Lord, For I have lied.
Let me live another day
And I will live it as I pray."

  -  Sterling W. Sill