two prayers

Last night my little boy confessed to me
Some childish wrong;
And kneeling at my knee,
He prayed with tears--
"Dear God, make me a man
Like Daddy--wise and strong;
I know you can

Then while he slept
I knelt beside his bed,
Confessed my sins,
And prayed with low bowed head.
"O God, make me a child
Like my child here--
Pure, guileless,
Trusting Thee with faith sincere."

Andrew Gillies