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The Century Prayer (1901)
Joseph Ephraim McGirt

Lord God of Hosts incline thine ear
To this, Thy humble servant's prayer:
May war and strife and discord cease;
This century, Lord God, give us peace!
Henceforth, dear Lord, may we abhor
Thought of strife, the curse of war.
One blessing more, our store increase,
This is our prayer, Lord, give us peace!

May those who rule us rule with love,
As thou dost rule the courts above;
May man to man as brothers feel,
Lay down their arms and quit the field;
Change from our brows the angry looks,
Turn swords and spears to pruning-hooks.
One blessing more our store increase,
This is our prayer, Lord, give us peace!

May flags of war fore'er be furled,
The milk white flag wave o'er the world;
Let not a slave be heard to cry,
Lion and lamb together lie;
May nations meet in one accord
Around one peaceful festive board.
One blessing more, our store increase,
This is our prayer, Lord, give us peace!
Conversations with God, Two Centuries of Prayers by African Americans, James Melvin Washington, Ph.D. New York: HarperCollins, 1994, page 99.