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.
Whoever does not love knows nothing of God, for God is love. God demonstrated his love like this: he sent his only Son into the world in order that we might live through him. 1 John 4:8, 9
For love so rich and special –
like nothing else on earth –
that found me, lost and hopeless,
and brought new life to birth;
that sees my many failings
yet loves me just the same,
and though it meets rejection
still seeks me out by name;
that knows my faith can waver,
enough at times to break,
yet gave itself completely,
faced anguish for my sake;
for love like this, so precious,
I give you, Lord, my praise,
my heart alight with wonder,
my spirit set ablaze.
Receive my grateful worship
and help me show, I pray,
a fraction of the ardour
you show to me each day.