In some of my early gift booklets I explored the medium of poetry as a means of prayer; a way of approaching God in a way that captures the imagination and speaks as prose sometimes cannot quite do. The poems from those booklets, together with many others I’d written subsequently, were later collected in my book Poems to Help You Pray. Here’s one of them.
I do not understand why I act as I do. For I end up doing the things I hate rather than the things I want to do. Romans 7:15
I’ve failed to love you, Father,
as much as you love me,
content to offer, rather,
a feeble travesty,
a going through the motions,
a playing of the part;
too often my devotions
not springing from the heart.
I truly mean to follow,
but other voices call;
discipleship proves hollow
as yet again I fall.
Commitment proves expensive,
temptations lead astray,
demands prove too extensive,
self-interest wins the day.
Lord, hear my supplications,
have mercy and forgive;
see past the limitations
that scar the love I give.
Remould, renew, refashion,
that I might learn your way,
responding with the passion
you show to me each day.