Pause for Prayer: Thursday 6/17

 

It's Throwback Thursday, Lord!

 

I'm in the third grade here

and I actually remember that shirt, a favorite,

patterned with little trowels and levels:

I'm sure I chose to wear it for "picture day"

at the Maple Street School...

By then, Lord, I'd been receiving you in Communion

for just about a year, every Sunday, at St. Mary's in Danvers,

and praying to you each night 

before I went to bed...

I wonder, Lord: 

is my prayer today much different 

than in 1955?

What's become of my prayer and our relationship

over these 66 years?

I still come to you with all my needs,

my hurts and secret fears... 

I still come to say I'm sorry

when I've failed to follow and be faithful 

to your word...

I still come to praise and thank you

for all the ways you bless me...

 

I still come promising

to leave my bad habits behind,

making room for the good

and pledging to do better...

 

I still come hoping you'll mend and fix what's broken

in my body, in my heart and in my life;

praying that you'll help me pass my next test, 

teach me right from wrong,

heal the ones I love,

show me where to turn,

deliver me from evil 

and make me strong to do the things

that I'm afraid to face...

 

I still come as a child, 

tugging on your sleeve, 

praying for your help, 

looking for a hug to reassure me 

that you are mine and I'm still yours...

 

Well, it seems, Lord, a lot hasn't changed

since I was in third grade

- but I pray my faith is stronger,

    my hope in you more trusting

       and my love for all much deeper

          than in 1956...

 

And I'm grateful, Lord, 

that you've not changed:

   that you're still mine 

      and I'm still yours

         and so we'll ever be...

Amen.

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