The Children's Song

Father in heaven, who lovest all,
Oh help Thy children when they call;
That they may build from age to age,
An undefiled heritage.

Teach us to bear Thy yoke in youth,
With steadiness and careful truth;
That, in our time, Thy grace may give
The truth whereby the nations live.

Teach us to rule ourselves alway
Controlled and cleanly, night and day,
That we may bring, if need arise,
No maimed or worthless sacrifice.

Teach us to look in all our ends
On Thee for judge, and not our friends
That we, with Thee, may walk uncowed
By fear or favor of the crowd.

Teach us the strength that cannot seek,
By deed or thought to hurt the weak;
That under Thee we may possess
Thy strength, to succor man's distress.

Teach us delight in simple things,
And mirth that has no bitter stings;
Forgiveness free of evil done,
And love to all men 'neath the sun.

(excerpts)-Rudyard Kipling