W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

Jesus Praying

Hartley Coleridge (1796–1849)

LUKE VI. 12.

HE sought the mountain and the loneliest height,

For He would meet his Father all alone,

And there, with many a tear and many a groan,

He strove in prayer throughout the long long night.

Why need He pray, who held by filial right,

O’er all the world alike of thought and sense,

The fulness of his Sire’s omnipotence?

Why crave in prayer what was his own by might?

Vain is the question,—Christ was man in need,

And being man his duty was to pray.

The son of God confess’d the human need,

And doubtless ask’d a blessing every day.

Nor ceases yet for sinful man to plead,

Nor will, till heaven and earth shall pass away.