Today I am grateful for the gift of prayer, which is perhaps the ultimate act of Giving Thanks. We’ve marked Day 15 of Daughter-A’s hospitalization. She had a rough weekend, and experienced some set-backs. I can’t deny it’s been discouraging.
This morning we held hands and prayed together. Tears were shed as we poured out our tender hearts to Heavenly Father. As we prayed we found ourselves acknowledging and listing the things we have been blessed with. We are grateful for so many things – big and small – during this journey. We thanked God for providing these things, and as we did so, our fears and worries were calmed, our burdens felt lighter, and we received strength to face the day. That prayer reminded us, once more, to put everything back in His hands, and trust Him. As the day progressed, decisions needed to be made for her continued treatment and care plan. Changes took place that we might not have been happy about, except for our prayer experience earlier in the morning.
Oh, what a blessing prayer is!
Sung by: Allyse Smith Taylor
Poem by: James Montgomery (1771-1854)
Music Arranged by: Sally DeFord – Sally DeFord Music
Prayer Is The Soul’s Sincere Desire ~ Poem
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire
Uttered or unexpressed
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.Prayer is the burden of a sigh
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath
The Christian’s native air
His watchword at the gates of death
He enters heav’n with prayer.Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice
Returning from his ways
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, “Behold! He prays!”Nor prayer is made on earth alone
The Holy Spirit pleads
And Jesus at the Father’s throne
For sinners intercedes.O thou by whom we come to God
The Life, the Truth, the Way
The path of prayer thyself hast trod
Lord, teach us how to pray
Latter-day Soprano 