"A Hymn to God the Father" by John Donne

Wilt Thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin, through which I run
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.

Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin, and made my sins their door?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by Thyself, that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine, as He shines now and heretofore:
And having done that, Thou hast done;
I fear no more.

This poem always deeply moves me when I read it. Donne speaks of our constant struggle with sin and our need for forgiveness. And then he speaks of the comfort of the Gospel--knowing Christ died for us, we truly need not fear. I love Donne's work.

"By Kindly Powers Surrounded" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

1. By kindly powers surrounded, peaceful and true,

wonderfully protected with consolation dear,

safely, I dwell with you this whole day through,

and surely into another year.

2. Though from the old our hearts are still in pain,

while evil days oppress with burdens still,

Lord, give to our frightened souls again,

salvation and thy promises fulfill.

3. And shouldst thou offer us the bitter cup, resembling

sorrow, filled to the brim and overflowing,

we will receive it thankfully, without trembling,

from thy hand, so good and ever-loving.

4. But if it be thy will again to give

joy of this world and bright sunshine,

then in our minds we will past times relive

and all our days be wholly thine.

5. Let candles burn, both warm and bright,

which to our darkness thou has brought,

and, if that can be, bring us together in the light,

thy light shines in the night unsought.

6. When we are wrapped in silence most profound,

may we hear that song most fully raised

from all the unseen world that lies around

and thou art by all thy children praised.

7. By kindly powers protected wonderfully,

confident, we wait for come what may.

Night and morning, God is by us, faithfully

and surely at each new born day.

Bonhoeffer wrote this poem while he was in prison. I love how he is able to speak of God being good and ever-loving as he endured harsh conditions and didn't know what was going to happen to him. God gave him faith that endured through a lot of difficult times. The "cup" brings to mind Jesus' Gethsemane prayer. And Bonhoeffer expresses thanksgiving for the "kindly powers" that have surrounded him in his life--family, friends, colleagues, the woman he loved, etc.