Yesterday morning I asked the members of my spiritual family to pray for me during my hospital trip in the UK . One messaged me straight back with a kind note which included the following symbols: 🙏💖. These were put into words by my iPad as, “Pray, sparkling heart”.
As soon as I read this, a prayer began to form in my mind, though it proved extremely difficult to write. I worked on it all morning in bed, during my ferry crossing, then in my hotel bedroom, until it was finished at last. I would like to dedicate it to my friend, P.M., to thank her for the amazing inspiration she sent me, as well as for her prayers.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18; NLT).
Pray, fragile flesh,
Both now, and forever:
Let’s pray to our Father,
Though we’re only clay.
Pray, fearful mind,
Throughout each endeavour:
Let’s plead with our Maker,
In darkness, and day.
Pray, sparkling heart,
Both now, and forever:
Let’s follow our Father,
Who lights up The Way.
Pray, shining soul,
Throughout each endeavour:
Let’s worship our Maker,
And never delay.
Pray in His Spirit,
Both now, and forever:
Let’s pray, and rejoice, and give thanks –
Come what may.
Reference
The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-7; NRSV).