Poetry · Chapter
A Winter Prayer explained
A desperate prayer for divine intervention amidst suffering, doubt, and confusion, pleading for God's presence to restore hope, will, and wisdom.
What happens
A desperate prayer for divine intervention amidst suffering, doubt, and confusion, pleading for God's presence to restore hope, will, and wisdom.
Themes in this chapter
Spiritual Struggle and Doubt
The poem is a cry from a 'hopeless heart' and 'shaken mind' wrestling with pain, fear, and a sense of God's absence.
Redemption and Grace
The speaker seeks divine comfort and restoration, trusting that God can 'tell me all about them all' and bring peace.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Come through the gloom of clouded skies, The slow dim rain and fog athwart; Through east winds keen with wrong and lies Come and lift up my hopeless heart.”
Break through the dark, rainy, and foggy weather, and through the harsh winds of deceit and injustice, to revive my despairing spirit.
The opening plea for God to penetrate external and internal darkness.
“Come through the prate of foolish words, The science with no God behind; Through all the pangs of untuned chords Speak wisdom to my shaken mind.”
Amidst empty chatter and a godless science, and through the discord of my life, grant me true wisdom to steady my troubled thoughts.
Highlights the conflict between faith and secular knowledge.
“Hear, hear my sad lone heart entreat, Heart of all joy, below, above! Come near and let me kiss thy feet, And name the names of those I love!”
Listen to my sorrowful, solitary plea, O source of all joy in heaven and earth; draw close so I may worship you and pray for my loved ones.
The final, intimate appeal for God's nearness and intercession for others.