The War Unseen

We strive and wage a war unseen

And through this fight we long to glean

A bit of hope for which we brave

This silent evil whose lies enslave

With cuts and groans and tired hands

We grasp our sword and take our stand

A battle cry we shout the name

Whom others fear and hide in shame

 We shout again and plunge our sword

 A deadly blow to this unholy horde

This mighty name which rights all wrong

 Is uttered now, with love, in song

A melody so rich, so deep

We fall face down and begin to weep

This name that brought such swift defeat

Brings healing now in song so sweet

It rises up and fills the skies

And others hear and turn their eyes

To gaze upon a Father’s face

Full of love, of peace, and grace

For we used to be like those we fight

Until our hearts beheld the light

And from our eyes the scales fell

We drank in deep His living well

 And now to be like Him, whose name

Our dying breath we will proclaim.

"Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire"

Sometimes the thing that I want to say is already eloquently expressed in a beautiful hymn.  Enjoy.

"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire.

Unuttered or expressed,

The motion of a hidden fire

That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,

The falling of a tear,

The upward glancing of an eye,

When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech

That infant lips can try;

Prayer the sublimest strains that reach

The Majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice.

Returning from his ways,

While angels in their song rejoice

And cry, "Behold, he prays!"

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,

The Christian's native air.

His watchword at the gates of death; 

He enters heaven with prayer.

O Thou, by whom we come to God,

The Life, the Truth, the Way;

The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:

Lord, teach us how to pray!"

-James Montgomery (1771-1854)