A Code to Live By

The Midwife's Prayer

Of all thy gifts, God, give to me
Courage, tact and sympathy
Cheerfulness, a ready hand
A warm, true heart to understand
A little of the agony
And suffering that has to be.

And give me love and give me grace
That in each mother I may trace
A likeness to thy mother dear
That I may help her quell her fear
That in her pain, her spirit true
And heart of love may help her through.

And in each babe that comes to earth
Each tiny soul I help to birth
God, let me treat as if t'were Thee
I nursed and bathed upon my knee
Help me to worship with my heart
And in adoration, take my part.

And help me teach when pain is o'er
The mother, that she looks before,
And take her baby's feet, the way
Of truth and righteousness, and pray
That following thee, the babe may grow
In grace and Holiness below.

And when a baby, white and still
Has drawn his breath, then lost the will
To live, help me to bring her eyes
To see that where her baby lies
So safe upon the Saviour's breast
Is, after all, perhaps the best.

God help me, too, when strained and white
A husband watches through the night
When all that he holds dear is tried
And all his help has been denied
Help me to speak a word of cheer
That he may chase away his fear.

God, keep me pure in mind and heart
That, in all honour, my small part
Of serving Thee may so be done
That at the setting of the sun
And weighing up the ill and good
I may have done just all I could