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Literary: I Learned to Pray |
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Tuesday, 09 September 2008 |
By Jacqui Franquelli
 I learned to pray
when I was young
In the name of the Father,
the Spirit and Son
Glory be to them
as it was in the beginning
I must confess
I didn't know its meaning.
When I grew older
I learned to pray better
I began to ask forgiveness
for being a sinner
After saying my sorry's
and promises to be nicer
I'd list my petitions
to God my Provider.
And then I grew up
a little bit more
And discovered something else
I ought to be praying for
Loved ones –
brothers, sisters, parents
Every dear soul
the Father had sent.
This next principle
proved a little more difficult
As though my injuries
needed worsening from insult
The Bible requires
that I also pray
For those who've hurt me
and led me astray.
It took a while
to obey that command
To love one's enemies
is a serious demand
I'm human, I'd reason
the Lord must understand
I can't just forgive
with a wave of the hand.
But God has a way
of teaching His children
Of turning their hearts
to pardon their brethren
His command made sense
when He made me see
The weight of sin
He's forgiven of me.
When I learned to forgive
my neighbors' misdeeds
Only then did my prayers
gain substance indeed
For God said if I've anything
against any brother
First be reconciled to him
then He'll hear my prayer.
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