Lead, Kindly Light
John Henry Newman wrote this poem in 1833 while becalmed at sea, unsure of his future direction in faith and life; it was later set to music and became one of the best-loved hymns of guidance in English. Newman, later canonized a saint, wrote it as a prayer for trust rather than certainty.
Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, lead thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home, lead thou me on! Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou shouldst lead me on; I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead thou me on! I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, pride ruled my will. Remember not past years. So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on o'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till the night is gone, and with the morn those angel faces smile, which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.
