Almighty & All

Almighty and all present Power,

Short is the prayer I make to Thee;

I do not ask,  in battle hour,

For any shield to cover me.

The vast unalterable way

From which the stars do not depart

May not be turned aside to stay

The bullet flying to my heart.

I ask no help to strike my foe,

I seek no petty victory here;

The enemy I hate, I know

To Thee, O God, is also dear.

But this I pray, be at my side

When death is drawing through the sky.

Almighty God, who also died,

Teach me the way that I should die.

Sergeant Hugh Brodie – RAAF

February 8, 1943