Poor in Spirit
Poor in spirit, yet Possessor of all,
Bestow on me divine contradiction;
And surely bid me hear You when You call;
“Here I am, Lord, send me on a mission.”
Regard not my lack, think not on my dearth;
Accomplish Your task, point me toward the west,
To a new Eden, indeed a new Earth,
My lips are unclean, same with all the rest.
And yet You use the lips of unskilled men,
To preach, exhort, and bring us to our knees,
To call us back and teach us once again,
The foolish lips of Paul and Sosthenes.
And fools for Christ, we all with one accord,
And bated breath, sing ever to our Lord.
Prayer
Effectual, fervent prayers availeth much,
Thy kingdom coming down in time and space;
Earth enlivened by a heavenly touch,
Men becoming one, the heavenly race.
Prayers for unity, holiness, the rest:
Seeking the Lord while yet He may be found;
My lips unclean, my fist upon my breast,
Think on me, Lord, and spit upon the ground;
Heal my blind eyes, deaf ears, and stony heart,
That I may walk before You in the light;
Mend together what You’ve taken apart,
That which is bent, make to stand aright.
All this my prayer, amen, let it be so,
But naught will happen if I don’t let go.
Men Convicted
Men convicted have two legs and know it,
Hind quarters fixed, and ever at alert;
Not excited, not so much to show it,
Stable for the long, not so much the spurt.
Aware of where he stands, and how, and why,
Comfort remains when travelling he goes;
Step after step, now walking to defy,
And wage the battle from within the throes.
For life is war, to conquer and subdue,
Starting within, rebellious spirit;
Once tamed, love and kindness flow through;
Gentleness speaks, for those who can hear it.
Wandering sojourner, free and constrained;
Victorious pedestrian, unstained.
