The Prayer of Abraham at Beersheba

“Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.” (Genesis 21:33)

Eternal God! Who called me to this land
Of wells and deserts, dust and burning sand,
Where nomads wander, and in Hittite towns
The praise of worthless idols still resounds,
Remember yet the ancient promise made
By this small tree, where I have knelt and prayed –
A wand’ring nomad on this southern plain,
Though heir of Canaan, which I shall obtain.

Eternal God! Remember man of dust
Into whose hands, at first, you did entrust
The ancient land of Eden, paradise,
And for his sin, you made a sacrifice,
And though they lived long ages hating truth,
Yet Enoch still attained you in his youth.

Eternal God! Though many centuries past,
Your wrath was filled, and judgment came at last,
And though the flood washed millions to the grave,
And Babel showed that man was still a knave –
Yet still remember me, though called from Ur
Where Ziggurats of idol-praise endure,
Who left the moon-god’s city of Haran
To wander with my tents and caravan.

Eternal God! A thousand ages hence,
Be with my seed, and be their strong defense,
And when, like me, they cry unto your name,
Eternal God! Then show your strength the same!