C. S. Lewis, by any standard, was a master in the field of apologetics. The prayer below reflects not only his extraordinary writing gifts, but also a humbling humility. Hope you are touched by it as I always am.
The Apologist’s Evening Prayer
From all my lame defeats and oh! much more
From all the victories that I seem to score;
From cleverness shot forth on Thy behalf
At which, while angels weep, the audience laugh;
From all my proofs of Thy divinity, Thou who wouldst give no sign, deliver me.
Thoughts are but coins. Let me not trust, instead
of Thee, their thin-worn image of Thy head.
From all my thoughts, even from my thoughts of Thee,
O Thou fair Silence, fall, and set me free.
Lord of the narrow gate and needle’s eye,
Take from me all my trumpery lest I die.
Comments:
From all my lame defeats and oh! much more
From all the victories that I seem to score;
From cleverness shot forth on Thy behalf
At which, while angels weep, the audience laugh;
From all my proofs of Thy divinity, Thou who wouldst give no sign, deliver me.
Thoughts are but coins. Let me not trust, instead
of Thee, their thin-worn image of Thy head.
From all my thoughts, even from my thoughts of Thee,
O Thou fair Silence, fall, and set me free.
Lord of the narrow gate and needle’s eye,
Take from me all my trumpery lest I die.
Comments:
January 6th, 2006 at 9:48 am e
That is amazing, and it really pulls me up short. Even when we think we have something to say, it’s not about me.
January 6th, 2006 at 9:50 am e
Well said, Dale.