The Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre Jr. (January 17, 1915 — October 3, 2008) was Dean of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. for 27 years.
Timeless roll the streams while man moulds their course and wrests his sufficient margin of life from Thy scattered benefice;
Shapes the flint to arrow point;
nurses seed to cotton, bale and cloth;
carves the wood to cabin logs and bakes his cities from clay;
mines the ore and makes the steel;
catches the surging flood upon his shining wheels and makes the river yield light and power for Thy people all.
Praise Thee, wondrous God, for the blessed watershed that is Alabama, pliant to man’s need, gracious to his questing spirit. May her sons not forget Thy bounty, nor fail to deserve Thy benediction;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hat tip: The Anglican Digest
