Thursday, February 09, 2006

The Best Prayer

I received an email from Troy Brumley yesterday. So many of the stories and poems, etc. that I receive, I have seen before. But I hadn't seen this one. I think it is worth sharing.
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The Best Prayer I Have Heard In A Long Time

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment. Due to their age, it may be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts You give us, the greatest gift is love.

It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts-- not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity.

Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

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I so want to be of that mind! The Lord has a lot of work to still do on me!

3 comments:

Amy C said...

It isn't for you, until you can identify with the "bums" and the mom, rushing home to do it all, and the people who may not have much more time left. . . that is when you realize, that the grace is for you too. I think that it is when the grace become truly amazing, and personal. That is when it cuts to the heart and brings you to your knees. Only through the brokeness, poverty and heartache can you see the true condition of your own heart. The mind of Christ follows. I seek his heart every day. Lord transform our minds and hearts into your likeness daily. Amen! Rick, thank you for all your great blogs. Amy Cooper

jenny biz said...

Sounds a lot like Jesus! Man, what a great prayer to pray daily! Once again, I am reminded that life is SO not about me but constantly reflecting Jesus! What a constant practice! Thanks, Dad!

Bev Ross said...

Oh to see others through the eyes of innocence! I LOVE this prayer! Thanks for sharing it with us!