[Editor: This poem by L. E. Homfray was published in Australians, Awake! And Other Poems (1915).]
Prayer for the Wandering Sheep.
Shepherd of the sheep that wander,
Hear our pleading prayer,
That Thy flock may all be gathered
’Neath Thy care.
Some have wandered weak and helpless
Through the darkest night,
Yet we know that all are precious
In Thy sight.
Some have never heard the story
Of Thy dying love;
Never known of that bright Heaven
Far above.
Some have heard and yet have wandered
Into paths of shame;
Still Thy love is ever yearning
To reclaim.
For we know that Thou did’st struggle
Through the night so drear,
Seeking for the one poor wanderer
Far and near.
Holy Shepherd, we would follow
Where Thy feet have trod,
If we might but bring one wanderer
Back to God.
Glad with Thee to suffer hardship,
Toil or sorrow bear,
Till the wanderers all are gathered
’Neath Thy care.
Amen.
Source:
L. E. Homfray, Australians, Awake! And Other Poems, Sydney: D. S. Ford, [1915?], page 15
Editor’s notes:
Old spelling in the original text:
did’st (did)
thou (you)
thy (your)
Vernacular spelling in the original text:
’neath (beneath)
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