Yesterday, when I touched my icon of the Holy Spirit falling on all those present at Pentecost, the first two lines of this prayer came insistently into my mind. Immediately, I wrote them down, then set about discovering where they would lead me. Within half an hour, the shape, and most of the words for today’s prayer were safely set down. The rest then followed more slowly, throughout the day.
The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).
Don’t wait for me to grow
Before you come, Lord.
Don’t wait for me to fail
Before you save.
Don’t wait for me to pray
Before you fill me.
Don’t wait for me to plead
Before you give.
Don’t wait for me to change
Before you rescue.
Don’t wait for me to weep
Before you kiss –
For I’m a sinner, through and through,
Despairing,
So come, Lord God, have mercy,
And forgive.
The tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13; NIV).
Absolutely beautiful. The Holy Spirit lives in you my dear Ruth. There is no doubt about it. You are very blessed
Thank you so much, Bea. You, too. You also are very blessed. With love from Ruth xxxx