Poems (Shipton)/Alpha and Omega

by Anna Shipton

ALPHA AND OMEGA.

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."—Rev. xxi. 6.

O lamb of God, I know that Thou art here!
Close as my clasping hands—nay, yet more near;
And every sigh enters Thy gracious ear.
          I ask to see
More of Thyself, Lord Jesus; more of Thee.

Give me to walk with girded garments white;
The understanding heart, to read aright
Thy Word; Thy law, Thy will, my soul's delight,
          That I may be
More like Thyself, Lord Jesus; more like Thee.

Grant me Thy Spirit's might to bring the blind
To Thy dear feet, Thy light and peace to find,
And sin-forged fetters from the dead unbind:
          I ask to be
More like Thyself, Lord Jesus; more like Thee!

Grant me a ministry that Thou shalt bless;
Give me Thy comfort for the comfortless,
And self-forgetful in each heart's distress.
          Oh, grant to me
More of Thyself, Lord Jesus; more of Thee!

Give me a baptism of glowing love,
Thy power and presence whereso'er I rove:
And my last prayer, all other prayers above—
          Oh, give to me
More of Thyself, Lord Jesus; more of Thee!