Prayer of the Day-3: Lead kindly Light !

The famous prayer written by Cardinal John Henry Newman 1801-1890:

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to seeThe distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on;I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on!I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on.O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,And with the morn those angel faces smile, which IHave loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path, Thyself hast trod,Lead, Savior, lead me home in childlike faith, home to my God.To rest forever after earthly strifeIn the calm light of everlasting life.

Full hymn with background info: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/e/a/leadkind.htm

Cardinal Newmann's bio: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/n/e/newman_jh.htm