From my book Touching Down, a prayer inspired by, of all things, a sewage works, leading on to thoughts about waste disposal in our Christian lives.
The sewage works
It’s not a pretty sight
nor a pretty subject,
but it’s invaluable nonetheless,
for without it we’d be overwhelmed
by waste and disease,
our world contaminated beyond our worst nightmares,
fit for nothing and no one.
Too much, Lord, contaminates my life –
impure thoughts,
foolish words
and thoughtless actions;
a host of attitudes, desires, weaknesses and faults
that pollute and destroy.
And, hard though I try,
I cannot rid myself of them,
their hold on me too great.
Reach out in mercy,
and cleanse me of all that undermines my inner health,
so that, by your love, I may be truly whole.
Amen.