A Prayer
The work presents a heartfelt supplication to a higher power, emphasizing themes of faith, hope, and liberation. The speaker addresses God, expressing unwavering trust and reliance on divine love and mercy. The imagery of lifting the "suppliant eye" signifies a humble plea for assistance and guidance. The speaker acknowledges their identity as children of God, despite their earthly struggles and the oppressive conditions they face. The mention of "the poor and trembling slave" highlights the plight of those suffering under bondage, invoking the idea that divine compassion extends to the marginalized and oppressed. The text reflects a deep understanding of shared human suffering and the belief in a just and merciful deity. The work articulates a collective experience of bondage, both physical and spiritual, while asserting that such chains cannot suppress the soul's voice or diminish its connection to the divine. The speaker's conviction in God's supreme power reinforces the notion that ultimate justice and mercy will prevail, transcending earthly hierarchies and injustices. The concluding lines suggest a vision of unity, where both master and slave will ultimately seek mercy from the same divine source, indicating a hope for reconciliation and liberation. The overall tone is one of resilience, underscoring the strength found in faith and the belief in eventual freedom and divine justice.
By Sarah Louisa Forten Purvis · First published 1857 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Spiritual, Social Justice · 191 words
First lines
Father, we lift the suppliant eye, To where thou reigns't above; We feel that thou canst not deny The children of thy love.
Unshaken faith, unwavering trust, Are all that we can bring; We are thy children, though in dust, To thee we dare to cling.
We know that thou wilt not forsake The poor and trembling slave; For him the blessed Saviour spake; And him he came to save.
We feel the chains that bind us all, And bend us to man's will; But can they hold our souls enthrall'd, Or bid our voice be still?
What this Textopian page supports
A Prayer is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sarah Louisa Forten Purvis, dated 1857 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sarah Louisa Forten Purvis
- Date: 1857 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Spiritual, Social Justice, Inspirational, Lyric Poetry
- Length: 191 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Prayer by Sarah Louisa Forten Purvis
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The poem expresses deep faith and supplication to a higher power, characteristic of religious themes.
- Spiritual — The work reflects themes of hope, trust, and divine intervention, central to spiritual literature.
- Social Justice — The poem addresses the plight of the enslaved, highlighting themes of oppression and the quest for freedom.
- Inspirational — The tone and message aim to inspire faith and resilience in the face of adversity.
Tags
American Literature · 19th Century · Autobiography · Biographical Fiction · Christianity · Civil War Era · Female Author · Historical Fiction · Memoir · Non-Fiction · Personal Narrative · Prayer