0006 Prayer for the Condemned
He’ll be the next to go.
In the Condemned Block, over many years,
he’s moved up the line; now he’s got that end cell.
All legal processes have been tested.
Of course his lawyers will fight once again –
a pardon’s out of the question, of course,
but maybe just a lifer? (He’s spent half of it
behind bars anyway.) At Association Time,
if it’s allowed, the others look at him
covertly – how’s he taking it? And maybe
know a little more of themselves..
And so, we’re asked to pray for him
knowing in our hearts, that he’s but
a metaphor for all of us.. so despite his crimes,
there’s that in us which feels that we are he…
and redemption’s not unknown, to God or man…
are we just praying for ourselves?
But how to pray, and how to pray for – what?
that he be free to be himself again?
but we don’t know him well enough to trust
him when he says, he’s found God in there…
And if we pray that he remain himself,
but where he is, behind those bars,
to work out his life, like a monk
(who also needs more time, even forever,
to understand ‘ forever’ more) –
there’s mercy for you, of a sort,
if he will get that spiritual support
that monks may call upon…
We may pray to God to bring him change of mind,
if it’s not too late now.. and here again,
who is to judge, or how may he himself so prove?
‘O Lord, please give him one more chance…’ –
are we thinking more of him than of ourselves?
Yes, we may pray, deep in ourselves, that human law
may bring together as we best may know
justice and mercy in their godly match..
and in a subtle sense, his death, if it bring
that dedication in our social thoughts,
will have been in some small way
another death but on the cross of life for us;
And for some of us, prayer's not unlike
the action of a wounded animal - as if comatose,
gathering all one's capabilities, and diving deep
beyond words, beyond thought, beyond any wish,
like a surrender of one's living soul
to seek, deep within oneself, that place
where all souls meet...;
Those who live a life of faith
need but to dip into
the holy water of eternity
flowing in the sweet words
of the age of faith:
'Lette goe the teares
of earthlie wepynge -
comende hys sawle
to Cristés kepynge'...
So should we not, when and if we pray each day,
and use the Lord’s Prayer, reaching that too familiar line,
‘Thy Will be Done’,
pause, and remember him in his last hours,
- perhaps remember Him in His last hours -
and live the remainder of our lives
(as we move up the line towards That Day)
slightly, subtly, differently; and know
a little more about prayer; about ourselves.
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
All Day Long Doses
Pray!
Pray to pray for prayer.
Pray to stay there in prayer.
There is no time to find prayer.
You must pray to make prayer,
The only time you have.
The only key you need...
To unlock all that keeps you fed,
And nourished!
Pray to pray for prayer.
When you're there,
Stay!
Like every wish you keep that comes.
Prayer should be the only thing decided,
That's done every moment you breathe a breath
Of life.
Pray!
Pray to pray for prayer.
Stay there in it!
Take it with you
Like you take and do your faith...
In all day long doses!
Without fear you have taken too long of a break!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
You Are The Prayer!
pray for peace,
and then live your prayers!
pray for love,
then give your love a body.
pray for hope,
then make the changes needed
to bring hope life!
pray for forgiveness,
and then forgive!
pray for courage,
then dare to do!
pray for fullfilment,
then give everything you
cherish away!
pray for wisdom,
then listen intently!
pray for tomorrow,
then live today!
pray for truth,
then walk naked and strong!
pray for the earth,
then treat it with respect...
pray with all of your heart,
then be silent and still,
knowing, and believing,
that you are the prayer!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Pray
I pray for your safety my love
Pray your dreams be fulfilled
Pray for help from God above
Pray a shattered world rebuild
Pray with me, that all are fed
Pray our Lord God will listen
Pray we see what lay ahead
Pray our mortal souls be risen
Pray for all who now do suffer
Pray for respite from their pain
Pray empathy provides a buffer
Pray for those few gone insane
Believe sincere prayers always work
Believe prayer lights where Satan lurks
(Dedicated to my Beloved)
ROTMS
poem by Ray Lucero
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I Just Cant Make It By Myself
(words & music by clara ward)
I need jesus to guide me every day
As Im travellin along this rough and narrow way
Though afflictions fill my soul
Im determined to make the goal
Ive gotta have jesus cause I just cant make it by myself
Every day I pray (pray) pray (pray)
Pray (pray) pray (pray)
I pray (pray) pray (pray
Pray pray pray
Pray and ask the lord jesus
Dont leave me by myself
Every mornin through the years I pray
You know Ive got to have jesus
I just cant it by myself
By myself
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
How Do I Pray?
Pray, pray
How do I pray?
Usually at the
end of my day.
Pray, pray
For what do I pray?
I pray for peace
in everyone's day.
Pray, pray
To whom do I pray?
To my soul giver
that's not far away.
Pray, pray
Why do I pray?
For if there's a heaven
maybe someday
The praying was worth it
and then I'll know
where those that don't pray
will have to stay.
And pray and pray
and pray all day.
poem by Edwina Reizer
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Sometimes I Pray
Sometimes I pray before I sleep;
Sometimes I pray, the lord; my soul to keep,
Sometimes I pray.....
Sometimes I pray in the morning;
Sometimes I pray for those in mourning,
Sometimes I pray.....
Sometimes I pray for rain;
Sometimes I pray for nomore pain,
Sometimes I pray.....
Sometimes I pray before i eat;
Sometimes I pray for good bread and meat,
Sometimes I pray.....
Sometimes I pray, my baby; that you'll stay;
But only sometimes for these things do I pray,
For I talk to my Lord everyday...
poem by Nkululeko Mdudu
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Prayer
may all the good old people of this world
have a happy death,
may not the young die at their young age
may those who pray for death
be enlightened to choose life
and live in peace in an actualized self,
may all those who have forgotten prayer
pray, and may all those who still pray
pray some more to learn to pray
and pray earnestly that all
prayers through God's Holy Will
be heard and granted.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Lover's Prayer
For love
For life and eternity
This is my prayer
I pray that our love
Is more than enough
To weather the storm
I pray that you're strong
The nights that I'm gone
And you're home alone
I pray you'll forgive
Whateva I did
That brought you the tears
I pray here right now
As I make this vow
We last through the years
Lover's prayer
When I get down on my knees at night
Lover's prayer
I pray God we gonna be alright
Lover's prayer
With my head down and my hands up high
How I hope he will answer my
Lover's prayer
I pray that the sun
Continues to shine
With all that you do
No matter the bad
No matter how low
you'll make it through
I pray that I'm there
Whateve you want whateva you need
I pray that your heart
Carries apart
song performed by by Joe from Better Days
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
How to Pray?
Pray incessantly;
Pray most fervently;
Pray with all your heart;
God will do His part!
Pray most sensibly;
Pray most effectively;
Pray deep from your heart;
Pray as if an art!
Pray for prolonged time;
Pray in any clime;
Pray by singing rhymes;
God’s answers chime!
Pray in holy place;
Pray with heav’nly gaze;
Pray for human race;
Pray in many ways.
Let prayers rise up high;
Let prayers pierce the sky;
Let prayers touch God’s heart,
As blessings divine start!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 11-14-2009
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
In The Solitude Of Prayer
In the solitude of prayer
deep
Lost in moments in between weep
and sleep
In the solitude of prayer
Lonliness finds a rest
Survived another test
Brings out our best
In the solitude of prayer
With nobody there
Except those far away
Reminded of their distant care
In the solitude of prayer
You pray for their smile
For their personal trial
Silently, all the while
In the solitude of prayer
Dreams seem more near
More hope than fear
Thoughts of those past those dear
In the solitude of prayer
Pray for their souls kind
Whose memory is still in your mind
And in your heart
In the solitude of prayer
Pray for your dear friends
Whose heart's you defend
As your own heart they mend
In the solitude of prayer
As for God's wisdom
And his love
As all love comes from above
In the solitude of prayer
Find grace to forgive
And to truely give
And to live
In the solitude of prayer
Recall how to dream
Of warm embraces of affection
And of love returned in your direction
In the solitude of prayer
Pray with conviction
Pray for the impossible
Without fear or restriction
poem by James T. Adair
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Step Out In Faith
Some seek God’s face both night and day
For months and even years
They’ll kneel and pray and pray and pray
With heart and soul in tears
They know The Lord can do this thing
Their faith in Christ is strong
And so with prayer God’s praise they’ll sing
Believing nothing’s wrong
But faith is not just sitting still
True faith dictates we stand
If through our deeds we do God’s will
Then God will lend a hand
We need to move we need to stir
We need much more than talk
If mighty things will soon occur
We need in faith to walk
Its good to pray its good to praise
But yet there’s so much more
Consulting God in all our ways
Opens many a door
Step out in faith but not as fools
Learn first to understand
Obey The Lord obey His rules
And see God mighty hand
The Lord may love the songs we sing
Our ways are His concern
He’s not a puppet on a string
Nor water tap to turn
Think not The Lord has all to do
When faith has been received
Action must come from me and you
In Him we have believed
poem by Michael P. Johnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Lord, Teach Us How to Pray Aright
Lord, teach us how to pray aright,
With reverence and with fear;
Though dust and ashes in Thy sight,
We may, we must draw near.
We perish if we cease from prayer;
O grant us power to pray;
And when to meet Thee we prepare,
Lord, meet us by the way.
God of all grace, we come to Thee
With broken, contrite hearts;
Give what Thine eye delights to see,
Truth in the inward parts.
Faith is the only sacrifice
That can for sin atone;
To cast our hopes, to fix our eyes,
On Christ, on Christ alone.
Patience to watch, and wait, and weep,
Though mercy long delay;
Courage our fainting souls to keep,
And trust Thee though Thou slay.
Give these, and then Thy will be done,
Thus, strengthened with all might,
We, through Thy Spirit and Thy Son,
Shall pray, and pray aright.
poem by James Montgomery
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Pray
Dear lord you know that I don’t often pray
But I have so much to say.
I thank you for all that you have done for me
That you have set my heart free.
You give me a purpose in this life
And a desire to help others
Friends, family, sister, and brothers.
So continue to stand by me
And let the words run free.
For when I pray to god up above
He will shower me with all his love.
He will relieve my aches and pains
And my soul will never be the same.
Because of prayer I have achieved my goal
I can touch other souls
I can write what they see and feel
And their thoughts I do steal.
This is what happens when I pray
And I thank god every day.
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Jefferson
(words & music: per gessle)
Published by hiphappy
Jefferson was always out of luck
I remember when we both grew up
Jefferson got hit by a westbound truck
I guess that didnt make him look like a million bucks
That night when sally really stole the show
And every boy was captured diggin for gold
Poor old jefferson was left in the snow
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
Jefferson is always on my mind
When him and me were runnin out of time
Jefferson was sure enough left be behind
The cops came in and took him by surprise
That night when sally really showed her game
The neighborhood would never be the same
Poor old jefferson got the blame
Ooooh
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
Yeah
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
I do believe he didnt do wrong
I say a prayer for someone I care for
I do believe he didnt do wrong
I say a prayer for someone I care for
That night where sally really gave it all
And made us small boys look quite tall
Poor old jefferson left the ball
Yeah
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
Im gonna pray for jefferson
Pray for jeffersons soul
A-a-a-a-ah
A-a-a-a-ah
A-a-a-a-ah
song performed by by Roxette
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
0369 Prayer. To Mike, who asked.
Simplest prayer, soonest answered,
so it’s said; so let us be as little children
(themselves an answered prayer..?)
and ask the simplest questions -
how? whom to? for what? and will we get
what we are asking for? promise?
suppose He or She or It thinks, (if They think anyway..)
that’s it’s a silly thing to ask for,
or just a bit too ‘me’ and greedy,
will they say no? will they let us know
somehow, that’s it’s no?
or will our justice be
to get what we think we want
until the day we wish we hadn’t asked for it?
or is it like the tale of the three wishes,
everything turned to gold – including us! …
another wish, please cancel; then
the last and sensible small wish, which may even
include the welfare of all others too?
Some say the commonest of prayers
amounts to, please God, let two and two
please equal five…that prayers may only ask
what may be within the domain of the law
of our Creation; some even say that, given this,
we’ll always get what we wish for – eventually;
but that by some mighty, unalterable law,
as with the fairies gathered around
Sleeping Beauty’s cradle, as the Fates,
along with what we asked for, comes
a something else for which we didn’t ask…
others say that there’s no difference
between the meaning of a prayer, and praise;
that in our praise, our prayer is surely shaped
and those who do not think to praise
may never know, to whom to pray,
or ever truly know, for what…
and others of a theologic mind
pray to be taught, for what to pray…
or instead of prayer, to learn to willingly accept
all that befalls them, as the gift of all
that they might pray for, for their good of soul…
*
all this is for considering; but I suggest
that in the depths of grief, or heights of joy, we know
the place where prayer may arise:
so deep within ourselves, that it’s beyond
the asking or the answering; a place so deep
that there, our soul rests in peace,
all questions meet all answers,
and all desires are satisfied;
there is no loss,
and nothing lacks;
we are – ourselves; ourself; at peace;
and for that, we may surely pray.
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I Pray
When I was young I dreamed about
Oh so many places
When I was young I never thought Id be afraid
The years go by and with them comes
Oh so many changes
You know what I mean
I pray theres another day
Sunshine on the morning water
What a day was yesterday, hmm
I pray there will be an answer
I pray
And in my youth I realized nothing lasts forever
I find myself remembering those happy days
Follow me, Ill show you all the colors of the rainbow
You know what I mean
I pray theres another day
Sunshine on the morning water
What a day was yesterday, hmm
I pray there will be an answer
I pray
Dont wait, dont be late
You dont have a second left to hesitate
Walk, talk, do it all
Nothing you can do will break the fall
Turn and turn
Tell me what are you seeing
Clear your mind
If you want to be free
Be there
Turn around expectations
Say goodbye to complications
Be there, be there
I pray theres another day
Sunshine on the morning water
What a day was yesterday, hmm
I pray there will be an answer
I pray
I pray
I pray
I pray theres another day
Sunshine on the morning water
What a day was yesterday, hmm
I pray there will be an answer
I pray
I pray
I pray
I pray theres another day
I pray there will be an answer
I pray...
song performed by by Ace Of Base
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Pray For Them
Pray for them, in this storm that's so wide,
Hurricane sandy, With a huge incoming tide;
For those in Washington, New York and elsewhere,
This is our humble caring pleading prayer.
Pray for those who'll be without a home,
Also those old and young, who live on their own;
Be with those helping, the police, and emergency crew,
Provide the workers with every hammer nail and screw.
Pray for those who are injured, and the Doctors too,
For the nurses, and ambulance officers, coz care is what they do;
Pray for the animals and birds, they're suffering as well,
Help them find safety, To you in my prayer, their needs I tell.
Lord we pray for each church folk, across that land,
That. They wil be safe and praying, for Your Hand;
Only You Lord, know why this has come about,
So I know You'll answer, And knock the fierceness out.
poem by Margaret Haig
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I Pray And Pray And Pray To God
I PRAY AND PRAY AND PRAY TO GOD
I pray and pray and pray to God -
I need to pray to God-
I need God’s help every day of my life
I cannot live without God’s help-
I cannot live without the sense that God cares for me
I pray and pray and pray to God-
poem by Shalom Freedman
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
~ Prayer ~
Beloved you only pray in times of stress or need.
Forget not to pray for the joy and abundance you already have.
Prayer is but the expansion of your self into the Cosmos.
If it is for your comfort to pour darkness into space,
It should also be your delight to pour out the dawning of your soul.
If you cannot but weep when your soul summons you to prayer,
Trust that after weeping you shall find laughter.
When you pray you rise to meet in the air others who pray.
And you recognize each other in sweet communion.
Know that when you enter prayer with no other purpose than asking,
For the sake of asking you shall not receive.
Be invisible and pray not before men.
Beloved I cannot teach you how to pray with words as,
You have but to allow God to speak through your lips.
If you but listen to the stillness of the night you shall hear;
“Father your will is our will”
We need not ask for anything, because you know our needs before us.
Father you are our only need, for in giving of yourself you gives us everything.
(Inspired by Kahlil Gibran)
ROTMS
View more writings, images and video at;
rotms.blogspot.com
poem by Ray Lucero
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Let Us Pray
(words & music by b. kaye - b. weisman)
Come praise the lord for he is good
Mmm come join in love and brotherhood
Well hear the word and bring our gifts of bread and wine
And well be blessed beneath the sign
So let us pray together, pray together
Pray with the one mighty voice (heavenly voice)
And let us sing together, sing together
Pray and well rejoice (well rejoice)
When strangers reach out for your hand (for your hand)
Respond to them and understand (heaven obeyed to understand)
Well rise as one to calm the storm outside the gate (calm the storm)
With faith in him well never leave (never leave)
So let us pray together, pray together
Pray with the one mighty voice (heavenly voice)
And let us sing together, sing together
Pray and well rejoice (well rejoice)
(well rejoice)
The love of God is on our side (love is, love is on our side)
We have the strength to move the tide (well move the tide)
The world will say so, therell be peace and love for all (love for all)
And we must give our brothers love
So let us pray together, pray together
Pray with the one mighty voice (heavenly voice)
And let us sing together, sing together
Pray and well rejoice (well rejoice)
Love for all, love for all to the lord
Well rejoice love for all to the lord
Well rejoice love for all to the lord
Well rejoice for the lord
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!