# Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

A prayerful meditation on humility and the blessedness of the poor in spirit, seeking God's help to cultivate lowly hearts that may enter the heavenly kingdom.

## Themes in this chapter

### Spiritual Struggle and Doubt

The speaker acknowledges their unlikeness to Christ and prays for transformation, indicating an inner struggle toward humility.

### Redemption and Grace

The prayer for God's spirit and the hope of entering heaven reflects a reliance on divine grace for redemption.

## Character check-ins

### God

Addressed as 'Our Father' and 'our Saviour', the one who hears the longing prayer and grants humility.

### Jesus Christ

Implored as 'our Saviour' to give His spirit to the speaker.

## Key lines

> Our Father, hear our longing prayer, And help this prayer to flow, That humble thoughts, which are thy care, May live in us, and grow.

God, listen to our deep desire and enable our prayer, so that humility—which you cherish—may take root and increase within us.

_The opening plea for divine assistance in cultivating humility._

> For lowly hearts shall understand The peace, the calm delight Of dwelling in thy heavenly land, A pleasure in thy sight.

Those who are humble will grasp the serene joy of living in God's kingdom, which brings delight to Him.

_Explains the reward of humility: understanding and experiencing heavenly peace._

> Give us humility, that so Thy reign may come within, And when thy children homeward go, We too may enter in.

Grant us humility so that your kingdom may be established in our hearts, and when your children return to you, we may also be admitted.

_A request for humility as the means to experience God's reign and gain entry to heaven._

> Hear us, our Saviour: ours thou art, Though we are not like thee; Give us thy spirit in our heart, Large, lowly, trusting, free.

Listen to us, our Savior; we belong to you even though we are unlike you. Impart your Spirit to us—generous, humble, faithful, and liberated.

_Acknowledges human imperfection and asks for the indwelling of Christ's character._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/blessed-are-the-poor-in-spirit
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters