Explore "A Prayer for a Mother's Birthday (Lyrics)" by Henry Van Dyke on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Lord Jesus, Thou hast known / A mother's love and tender care: / And Thou wilt hear, while for my own / Mother most dear I make this birthday prayer.
Protect her life, I pray, / Who gave the gift of life to me; / And may she know, from day to day, / The deepening glow of Life that comes from Thee.
As once upon her breast / Fearless and well content I lay, / So let her heart, on Thee at rest, / Feel fears depart and troubles fade away.
Her every wish fulfill; / And even if Thou must refuse / In anything, let Thy wise will / A comfort bring such as kind mothers use.
Ah, hold her by the hand, / As once her hand held mine; / And though she may not understand / Life's winding way, lead her in peace divine.
I cannot pay my debt / For all the love that she has given; / But Thou, love's Lord, wilt not forget / Her due reward, -- bless her in earth and heaven.
July, 1903.