mercy – Woodsmoke and Cardamom

A Prayer for Many

Lucy M. Young

Dear Lord, there are so many people
In my thoughts tonight:
The little girl who's losing weight
For no apparent reason;
The little boy who can't retain his food;
The lovely lady,
Lying on her bed of pain,
Ravaged by cancer;
The dear young man whose body, filled with tumors,
Struggles to continue functioning;
The brother fighting for each breath
Despite the spreading cancer in his lungs;
The lonely little mother,
Hard of hearing, nearly blind,
Waiting patiently for someone, anyone
To show a little love and tenderness.

Dear Lord, be with these people.
Place Your healing hand upon them.
Hold them in Your everlasting arms.
Comfort them and love them.
Let them know 
That they are not alone,
And that Your love and strength
Will hold them fast
Forever.

A Message of Cheer

by Lucy M. Young

There's a light behind every shadow,
  In back of each cloud there's the sun;
God's in His Heaven above us
  Showering blessings on everyone.

There's a rainbow in every raindrop
  Sparkling jewels in every snowflake;
God's promise in every sunrise -
  A promise He'll never forsake.

Bright daylight follows night's darkness.
  Sweet release comes after pain;
A smile will replace a teardrop
  Just as sunshine follows rain.

So seek the Lord and His Mercy
  Trust the Master Plan sublime
And look for a better tomorrow
  Living one day at a time.



photo by David Brooke Martin on Unsplash

A Prayer for the Homeless

by Lucy M. Young

When I awoke this morning, Lord,
And looked out at your beautiful world,
I thought of the other nations on earth
Whose banners of war are unfurled;
While here the morning songs of the birds
Brought music into my room;
And a softly whispering spring-time breeze
Held the scent of lilacs in bloom.

While I enjoyed the quiet peace
Of my little country home,
I thought of the homeless far and near
Who have been condemned to roam
In search of a place to call their own,
No matter how humble it be -
Just a tiny spot to make their home
From war and tyranny free.

Help them find it, Lord - a place of their own -
Secure and safe from fear.
Let them know the joy of freedom and peace,
The assurance that you are near.
Let them settle down with their families and friends,
Let their children romp in the sun;
May they never again know the terrors of war
Or hear the sound of a gun.

photo by Fares Hamouche on Unsplash