Prayer

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Lord, please help me when I pray,
Help me know what I should say,
Do I pray words I’ve been taught?
Say by rote, the things I ought?

             

Should I pray with ‘Thee’ and ‘Thou’,
Or speak to You as I do now?
Can I converse as with a friend?
Must I, always, with ‘Amen’ end?

          

I know that You are Lord of all,
And I, though adult, only small,
You’re God Almighty, Lord, and King,
You’re ruler over everything.

So I should bow and grovel low,
Address You cautiously, -- ‘just so’,
Give reverence and awe that’s due,
And come respectfully to You.   

 

And yet, You say to me, You’re ‘Dad’,
My child-likeness makes Your heart glad,
And I should run to You with joy,
Or bring my hurt, like a broken toy.

       

And like a father filled with love,
You’ll see my heart, from Your throne above,
You’ll take, and mend, and heal my pain,
And fill my heart with Your joy again.

     

If You’re my ‘Dad’, I should be free,
To know that You will welcome me,
You do not ask that I should wait,
Just like a stranger, outside Your gate.

You bid me to come boldly in,
For me, this right, did Jesus win,
And yet, I quail, before such ‘cheek’,
And once again, Your assurance seek.

 

Lord may I bring my prayers to You,
Just as a little child would do,
Lord, may I dare to get things wrong,
And have You still, want me along?

       

You bid me come, “Be not afraid,
My Blood for you, atonement made,
But more, My Love bids you come in,
You’re washed, and cleansed, and free from sin.”

       © 10/11/06