O Lord, How Long?

O Lord, how long will this vile world

Reject your endless grace?

How long will they reject the light

While darkness they embrace?

O Lord, how long will Satan rule

And keep his prisons fast?

How long till in his prison cell

The devil will be cast?

O Lord, how long will flesh and blood

Think of himself as good?

How long will he reject the cross,

Nor go there as he should?

O Lord, how long till you return

And wrongs are then made right?

How long till crooked ways are straight

And lies are brought to light?

O Lord, how long till by your side

I dwell and never roam?

How long until you come again

To take your people home?

Ezra Brainard, May 22. 2009