Sunday, February 20, 2011

"A Bride's Prayer"

June 14, 1961


A Bride’s Prayer
O, Father, my heart is filled with a happiness so wonderful that I am almost afraid. This is my wedding day, and I pray Thee that the beautiful joy of this day may never grow dim with years of regret for the new step I am about to take. Rather, may its memories become more sweet and tender with each passing anniversary.

Thou hast sent to me one who seems all-worthy of my deepest regard. May I prove indeed a helpmeet, a sweetheart, a friend, a steadfast guiding star among all the temptations that beset the impulsive hearts of men. Grant unto me the power to keep him ever true and loving as now.

Give me the skill to make home the best-loved place of all. Help me to make its glow shine further than any glare that would dim its radiance. Let me, I pray Thee, meet the little misunderstandings and cares of my new life bravely. Be with me as I start on my mission of womanhood, and keep my path from failure. Walk Thou with us, even to the end of our journey.

Father, bless my wedding day, hallow my marriage night, sanctify my motherhood—if Thou seest fit to grant me that privilege. And when all my youthful charms are faded, and the cares and lessons of life have left their touches, let physical fascination give way to the greater charm of blessed companionship. So may we walk hand in hand down the highway lighted by the sunshine that comes from living righteously, for time and for all E T E R N I T Y.

--Author unknown; one of Eileen Albertson's
handouts from her Marriage Class, BYU,
Winter semester, 1961










7 comments:

Tece said...

Beautiful! What a treat to see your lovely wedding photographs~ God bless you always :)

Heidi said...

I have this poem, got it at a yard sale, very old and brown... it's by Alice A. Clark. Just one of those old fashioned things that will never go out of style!

Heidi said...

I have this poem, got it at a yard sale, very old and brown... it's by Alice A. Clark. Just one of those old fashioned things that will never go out of style!

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Tom Duffin said...

The above prayer was composed by Elizabeth Houlihan of Philadelphia, PA on the eve her wedding to Norman Dreaver in December 1944.

Heidi said...

The one I have is very old. It reads a bit differently than the one posted here.

A Bride's Prayer
By Alice A. Clark

O Father, my heart is filled with a happiness so wonderful that I am almost afraid. This is my wedding day, and I pray Thee that the beautiful joy of this morning may never grow dim with years of regret for the step I am about to take. Rather, may its memories become more sweet and tender with each passing anniversary. Thou hast sent me one who seems all worthy of my deepest regard. Grant unto me that power to keep him ever true and loving as now. Mai I prove indeed a helpmeet, a sweetheart, a friend, a stedfast guiding star among all the temptations that beset the impulsive heat of men. Give me skill to make home the best loved place of all. Help me to make its lights shine farther than any glow that would dim its radiance. Let me, I pray Thee, meet the little misunderstandings and cares of my new life bravely. Be with me as I start on my mission of womanhood, and stay Thou my path from failure all the way. Walk thou with us even to the end of our journey.
O Father, bless my wedding day, hallow my marriage night, sanctify my motherhood, if Thou seest fit to grant me that privilege.
And when all my youthful charms are faded, and the cares and lessons of life have left their touches, let physical fascination give way to the greater charm of companionship, and so may we walk hand in hand down the highway to the Valley of Final Shadow, which we will then be able to lighten with the sunshine of good and happy lives.
O Father, this is my prayer. Amen.

Enid said...

I love this prayer. It's meaningful, beautiful, emotional, and sacred. I played this prayer at my wedding, almost 38 years ago. It's at the front of my wedding album, and ever so often, I read it. It will always mean a lot to me. Every word in this prayer I take seriously and literally.