A Prayer for the Past
A Prayer for the Past is a novel by George MacDonald that explores themes of faith and redemption through the story of a young man named David Elginbrod. The book follows David's journey as he struggles to come to terms with his past mistakes and find forgiveness in God. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters who help him on his path towards spiritual growth and understanding.
By George MacDonald · First published 1867 · Genre: Poetry, Spiritual, Reflective · 1,188 words
First lines
_All sights and sounds of day and year, All groups and forms, each leaf and gem, Are thine, O God, nor will I fear To talk to thee of them_.
Too great thy heart is to despise, Whose day girds centuries about; From things which we name small, thine eyes See great things looking out.
What this Textopian page supports
A Prayer for the Past is listed on Textopian as a novel by George MacDonald, dated 1867 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Spiritual, Reflective, Philosophical, Nostalgic
- Length: 1,188 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Prayer for the Past by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Prayer for the Past?
- How does this novel by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Prayer For The Past B by George Macdonald
- Hope Deferred by George Macdonald
- The Lily Of The Valley by George Macdonald
- O Do Not Leave Me by George Macdonald
- The Woman Whom Satan Had Bound by George Macdonald
- Stephen Archer by George Macdonald
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery, characteristic of poetry.
- Spiritual — The themes revolve around prayer, divine presence, and spiritual reflection, indicating a strong spiritual element.
- Reflective — The narrative is introspective, contemplating past experiences and their meanings, which is typical of reflective literature.
- Philosophical — The text explores existential themes such as time, memory, and the nature of life and death, aligning with philosophical literature.
Tags
faith · forgiveness · redemption · spirituality · grief · loss · memory · hope · love · sacrifice · family · suffering