Two men went to the temple to pray.
The story we have read a hundred times,
And even while its lesson we imbibed,
We still thanked God that we ourselves
Had nothing of the Pharisee in thought,
Yet were not sure we wished to be
Just like the humble publican;
Too lowly seemed his calling.
Thus each man went to pray,
But prayed for self, and you and I,
While reading, mayhap did the same.
Two men went to the temple to pray
With thought uplifted through discipleship
To serve the Christ and heal as he.
The beggar at the gate asked alms,
And unselfed love welled in their hearts,
And poured forth in his name a prayer.
The man in quick response leaped up,
And with exulting songs of gratitude
Went with them through the gate to pray.
O blessed, self-forgetful prayer of healing,
May we approach the temple
With thought uplifted so that those who halt
Beside the way may haste to follow
And remain to praise and pray.
