Listen, Lord: A Prayer

James Weldon Johnson

Some of the language in this poem may sound dated to our modern ears, or a bit odd to those unaccustomed to a southern (North Florida) dialect.  If, however, you are from the South, you may choose to read this poem in you most natural twang – it’ll sound better that way.

James Weldon Johnson, from Jacksonville, Florida, was a well-known poet and activist during the Harlem Renaissance.  His imagery captures my imagination and reflects the glory of God.  

Do any aspects of this poem remind you of the circumstances, tone, or message of Isaiah?  How and why?

Listen, Lord: A Prayer

(A Prayer from God's Trombones)

O Lord, we come this morning
Knee-bowed and body-bent
Before Thy throne of grace.
O Lord—this morning—
Bow our hearts beneath our knees,
And our knees in some lonesome valley.
We come this morning—
Like empty pitchers to a full fountain,
With no merits of our own.
O Lord—open up a window of heaven,
And lean out far over the battlements of glory,
And listen this morning.

Lord, have mercy on proud and dying sinners—
Sinners hanging over the mouth of hell,
Who seem to love their distance well.
Lord—ride by this morning—
Mount Your milk-white horse,
And ride-a this morning—
And in Your ride, ride by old hell,
Ride by the dingy gates of hell,
And stop poor sinners in their headlong plunge.

And now, O Lord, this man of God,
Who breaks the bread of life this morning—
Shadow him in the hollow of Thy hand,
And keep him out of the gunshot of the devil.
Take him, Lord—this morning—
Wash him with hyssop inside and out,
Hang him up and drain him dry of sin.
Pin his ear to the wisdom-post,
And make his words sledge hammers of truth—
Beating on the iron heart of sin.
Lord God, this morning—
Put his eye to the telescope of eternity,
And let him look upon the paper walls of time.
Lord, turpentine his imagination,
Put perpetual motion in his arms,
Fill him full of the dynamite of Thy power,
Anoint him all over with the oil of Thy salvation,
And set his tongue on fire.

And now, O Lord—
When I've done drunk my last cup of sorrow—
When I've been called everything but a child of God—
When I'm done traveling up the rough side of the mountain—
O—Mary's Baby—
When I start down the steep and slippery steps of death—
When this old world begins to rock beneath my feet—
Lower me to my dusty grave in peace
To wait for that great gittin'-up morning—Amen.

James Weldon Johnson 1871 –1938


From God's Trombones by James Weldon Johnson. Copyright © 1927 The Viking Press, Inc., renewed 1955 by Grace Nail Johnson.

Grace Discipleship: Pray Grace Church leaders


Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for those who help lead us.  We pray you would give them accurate knowledge as they teach and godly wisdom as they show us how to grow and walk in your ways.  Fill them with your peace and patience when they face difficult issues and protect them from evil distractions and influences.  Fill their hearts with your compassion and their very lives with your Holy Spirit.  May all that they do be pleasing to you. May we all bring glory and honor to you alone through the precious name of Jesus. – Jacki Nolan