Hope, my friend
written 3-30-09
Hope, my friend,
is the thing with wings,
the thing that calls,
a thing pursued.
Yes, hope, my friend,
laughs like a song,
comes with the dawn,
and carries above the storm.
Hope, my friend,
lives deep inside,
and there resides,
can get covered, but never leaves.
Hope, my friend,
bubbles forth,
with a flower sighted,
or a run completed.
It emerges from the fog.
Right now
written 5-5-09
Right now, I'm just focusing on taking my next breath.
And, right now, I'm overwhelmed thinking about life and death.
Lord God, seems like some pretty crazy things are goin' on down here,
right now.
Right now, a child's weeping cuz there's no more food left.
Next door, the neighbor's complaining three courses isn't enough.
O God! Why can't Your children give from the gifts poured out on them,
right now?
Right now, a mother's walking miles to get her kids a drink.
And, right now, a father's dying of a disease we could prevent.
Jesus, you told us to reach out our hands to the least of these,
right now.
Right now, a boy's curled in a corner wishing life would end.
And, right now, a girl's taken captive by a few dishonorable men.
Father, help us reach out to those who need Your healing touch,
right now.
Right now, a parent questions how God could have taken their family.
And, right now, orphans run through crowded streets with empty, hopeless eyes.
Shepherd, guide us as we seek to guide others to Your peace,
right now.
Right now, people are searching and have never heard of Christ.
On my shelf, seven different Bibles stand gathering dust.
Savior, please give us courage to go where You would go,
right now.
Right now, a pastor is tortured for preaching about Jesus' life.
And I stand, worrying about my insignificant comfort zone.
My God, teach us to speak up, unashamed of Your name,
right now.
Lord God, take my heart and break it to be like Yours.
Take me, spend me, use me up for Your glory.
Here I am, fill me with Your love and make me a servant of Christ,
right now.
Prayer for Courage
written 5-16-09
My God, help me!
O Lord, help me!
You know that I'm dying inside.
Give me the courage.
Please, give me the courage.
And guide me that I might not die.
I want to live for You.
To glorify You.
But hesitation paralyzes life.
Tear it out of me.
Chase my fears away.
And replace them with boldness for Christ.
Could they know?
written 5-16-09
Could they know?
Could they care?
Could they trust in Your love for them?
As I watch.
As I cry.
As I scream out for life!
And yet, I feel it.
Just a taste of Your love,
and I can't forget it-
even if I try.
Even if I try.
Inside me, my heart burns,
And I can't ignore it.
I've been created for it!
I see their tears.
And start to taste my own.
Who will reach out in love to them?
Hunched shoulders,
and a wounded glance.
Have they given up hope?
For them you died.
For them you cried.
And You're still reaching out to them.
Do they know?
Do they care?
Do they trust in Your love?
for them.
They need to hear.
They need to see.
Lord Jesus,
please send me.
Fire in my bones
written 5-21-09
You've put a fire in my bones.
You've touched my lips with burning coal.
It is impossible to fight.
Here is my life!
Consume me for Your glory.
Open my eyes, let me see,
all Your chariots, surrounding me.
Open my ears, let me hear,
the whisper of Your voice.
In You, I rejoice!
Roaring lions may encircle me.
But You have closed their jaws.
Storms and battles may rage on,
help me to focus on You alone.
You've put a fire in my bones.
Can you hear their cries?
written 5-22-09
Can you hear their cries?
Can you see the lies, they're believing?
Look into their eyes.
This is someone who, Christ was bleeding for.
Tears run down their face.
You are offering grace, if they'll trust Christ.
Weighted down by sin,
Cleanse them deep within, give them new life, now.
Beauty's under grime.
You've loved them through time, how will they know?
Send a messenger.
Lord, I'm here to serve, help me trust in You.
Help me trust in You.
Here is my life, Lord
written 5-24-09
Here is my life, Lord.
Please take the pieces.
And put them right, Lord.
I can't try to do it anymore.
Lord, I give you my mind. Take control of my thoughts. Help me live for Your kingdom, alone.
Take command of my will, and conform it to thine, in all I do.
And I give you my eyes, please direct me to see as You see all these people and needs.
I commit now my ears, please allow me to hear cries for Your grace.
Here is my life, Lord.
Please take the pieces.
And put them right, Lord.
I can't try to do it anymore.
I hand over my mouth, help for all that I speak to bring honor and praise to Your name.
And here is my voice, I devote it to You, in speech and song.
Also, reach out my arms, take and use them as Yours to comfort these people right now.
I surrender my heart, mold and break it when Yours breaks, fill it with love.
Here is my life, Lord.
Please take the pieces.
And put them right, Lord.
I can't try to do it anymore.
You’re there
unfinished
written 5-29-09
And I know You're there.
I just need to reach out in a simple prayer.
And You're there.
You're there to catch my stumbling steps.
You clasp my faltering hand in Your steady grip.
I hear You calling, my heart starts tingling with love.
I long to run into You're arms.
For You to swing me up on Your shoulders.
Whether waves crash or bullets rage,
I know it's okay,
because, You are there.
I know You're there.
I just need to reach out in a simple prayer.
And You are there.
You're there even when I feel deserted.
When I fall, You guide me back up.
If I can't walk, You carry me.
I know Your love abounds for me.
And You will always be there.
Prepare me
written 6-23-09
You know, I need a cause I can believe in.
You know, I'm driven by passion.
You know, that my heart breaks when they deny You.
Please make them see You in me.
Please lead them to Your fold.
Please guide them to Your love.
Prepare me, to follow You.
In all I say, in all I do.
Prepare me, to trust in You.
In everything, in every way.
Prepare Your servant Lord.
Please, prepare Your servant Lord.
Help me to love like you, Jesus
written 6-29-09
When my heart breaks down,
when my tears rise up,
when I feel Your love,
when I seek Your touch,
help me to live like You.
Help me to love like You, Jesus.
I'm here
written 8-13-09
Through a window, or a mirror,
life seems too difficult to bear.
Confusing thoughts hang in the air.
But if I listen closely, as the smoke begins to clear,
I hear my Father whispering,
"Don't worry, my daughter, I'm here."
Walking By
written 8-17-09
Walking by in my own world.
Dissatisfied, but trying to convince myself
that everything's just fine,
I'm content,
and life is good.
Then I finally hear Your voice
and suddenly air seems to only be catching in my throat, but not going on.
Softly You are asking me,
"Where have you gone?
Why are you leaving Me now?"
I hold the keys for my release.
I know I am already freed.
But my hands grip tightly to that which bars me in,
and I stand on knees that just refuse to bend.
How can I feel both a passion for your work and a distance from You?
How often do I walk past You?
How long have you been calling my name?
What have I missed in this absence?
Where has my heart gone?
Where am I going?
Pour out a little more of me each moment to make room for Your fullness.
Carve out all the rotting mess inside of me.
Humble me that I may truly live for You
Draw me to Your side and tell me what the cross was like–
don't let me forget or brush on by.
I want to burn with a passion that can't be extinguished
for You and Your kingdom.
Please be my every breath.
Teach me to pray– tune my ear to Your voice.
And don't ever let me just walk by.
Can I Dream a Dream Forgotten
written 11-11-09, modified 7-14-10
Can I dream a dream forgotten?
Can I count the cost?
Can I find a life worth living?
Can I love the lost?
Can I give and can I follow?
Can I drink deeper still?
Can I live a new tomorrow?
Can I trust in Your will?
You have dreamed a dream forgotten.
You counted the cost.
You've given me a life worth living.
And said to love the lost.
Help me give and help me follow.
Help me drink deeper still.
I will live for Your tomorrow.
Help me trust in Your will.
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