Tears...

Recently Alida and I participated in a prayer event at our church, Lake Ave. The purpose of the event was to have someone from our church praying 24 hours a day for one week. When we arrived at the designated prayer location, we were escorted to the prayer room. I sat down in a rather uncomfortable looking chair and began looking around the room. As I did I couldn't help but notice that there were pictures and words all over the room which represented pain in one sort or another. Seeing this heartache all around me led me to prayer.

For several minutes I simply sat there and focused on my breathing in an effort to clear my mind. Then I recited the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner") several times, trying to match the rhythm of the prayer with my breathing. Once I felt like I was aptly prepared, I began to pray silently for the hurting people whose faces and stories were literally surrounding me in the prayer room. I prayed for those suffering in the wars in Africa, for the fledgling Christians in Cambodia, for AIDS patients all over the world, and for the homeless in my neighborhood. After some time of intercession I sensed the need to write something down. The following poem was the result. (Please note that I am not claiming divine inspiration or anything like that here! This not-so-good poem was simply the overflow of my heart.)

Some tears fall in secret
Away from the spotlight, away from our care
We cannot see them but we entrust them to You

Some tears fall in the open
In our lines of sight, in our full knowledge
We see them and turn away, forgive us Lord

Let our hearts be afflicted by injustice
Let our wills be bent by suffering
Let our lives be guided to those in pain
Use us, move us, inspire us
And empower us to be your people