| The Hidden Life |
Chapter 7 |
Page 6 |
An Eastern story tells of one who was discouraged because his prayers seemed not to be answered. An enemy taunted him, bidding him call louder; but a heavenly message brought him comfort, assuring him that his prayer to God really had the answer in itself.
“‘Allah, Allah!’ cried the sick man, racked with pain the long night through:
Till with prayer his heart was tender, till his lips like honey grew.
But at morning came the Tempter; said, ‘Call louder, child of pain!
See if Allah ever hear, or answer, “Here am I” again.’
Like a stab, the cruel cavil through his brain and pulses went;
To his heart an icy coldness, to his brain darkness, sent.
Then before him stands Elias; says, ‘My child! Why thus dismayed?
Dost repent thy former fervor? Is thy soul of prayer afraid?’
‘Ah!’ he cried, ‘I’ve called so often; never heard the “Here am I;”
And thought, God will not pity, will not turn on me his eye.’
Then the grave Elias answered, ‘God said, “Rise, Elias, go, —
Speak to him, the sorely tempted; lift him from his gulf of woe.
Tell him that his very longing is itself an answering cry;
That his prayer, ‘Come, gracious Allah,’ is my answer, ‘Here am I.’”
“Every inmost inspiration is God’s angel undefiled;
And in every ‘O my Father!’ slumbers deep a ‘Here, my child!’”
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