The Prayer-Seeker
The poem describes a person who seeks spiritual guidance and solace through prayer. It portrays the individual's emotional state, their sense of desperation and longing for divine intervention. The speaker expresses a deep-seated desire to be heard and understood by a higher power. Throughout the poem, there is an emphasis on the idea that prayer can bring comfort and peace in times of turmoil.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Social Commentary · 397 words
First lines
Along the aisle where prayer was made, A woman, all in black arrayed, Close-veiled, between the kneeling host, With gliding motion of a ghost, Passed to the desk, and laid thereon A scroll which bore these words alone, _Pray for me_!
Back from the place of worshipping She glided like a guilty thing The rustle of her draperies, stirred By hurrying feet, alone was heard; While, full of awe, the preacher read, As out into the dark she sped: "_Pray for me_!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Prayer-Seeker is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1827 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1827 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Social Commentary, Romanticism, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 397 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Prayer-Seeker by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Worship by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Call Of The Christian by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Prayer by David Park Barnitz
- Gods Mercy by James Whitcomb Riley
- Matins Of Skies And Seasons by Henry Van Dyke
- Divine Compassion by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of prayer, spirituality, and the human condition, characteristic of religious poetry.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, typical of lyric poetry.
- Social Commentary — It addresses universal human struggles and the shared burdens of individuals, reflecting on societal issues.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion, nature, and individual experience aligns with Romantic literary themes.
Tags
Poetry · Religion · Spirituality · Faith · Meditation · Prayer · Devotion · Christianity · Literary · Classic · American Literature · 19th Century Literature