Evening Prayer by Edith Nesbit
The poem is a gentle and intimate evening prayer spoken by two parents over their child's cradle. They reject the idea of praying to a vengeful or jealous God, instead opting to address a benevolent deity who embodies love and care. The speakers seek a personal connection with this God, who is likened to a father, and ask for blessings and protection for their child.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Religious Literature, Romantic Literature · 185 words
First lines
Not to the terrible God, avenging, bright, Whose altars struck their roots in flame and blood, Not to the jealous God, whose merciless might The infamy of unclean years withstood; But to the God who lit the evening star, Who taught the flower to blossom in delight, Who taught His world what love and worship are We pray, we two, to-night.
To no vast Presence too immense to love, To no enthronèd King too great to care, To no strange Spirit human needs above We bring our little, intimate, heart-warm prayer; But to the God who is a Father too, The Father who loved and gave His only Son We pray across the cradle, I and you, For ours, our little one!
What this Textopian page supports
Evening Prayer is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edith Nesbit, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious Literature, Romantic Literature
- Length: 185 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- Song by Edith Nesbit
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- Entreaty by Edith Nesbit
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- Evening Song by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form, with a rhythmic and rhyming structure, characteristic of poetry.
- Religious Literature — The work contains themes of prayer, God, and religious devotion, which are common in religious literature.
- Romantic Literature — The work expresses deep emotions and personal feelings, a common trait in romantic literature.
Tags
Fantasy · Children's Literature · Adventure · Magic · Imagination · Friendship · Growing Up · Self-Discovery · Mystery · Supernatural · Spirituality · Religion