Prayer #2

Dear God, elsewhere I have written that nothing ever works.
Does prayer work? Do you intercede in this world
you have made on behalf of those who believe you made it?
I think back to growing up and the hatred and rage
in my father who certainly was a devout Christian
and to my mother, wounded, but trying, always trying
to raise her children right. I think of their constant
struggles to make ends meet and how in circumstances
so tight that every penny spent went to something necessary
they always tithed and always gave both their money
and their time. I think of their sincere belief then and now,
of how, even now, they go without to help me,
who by all rights should no longer need their help.
I think of my brother whose life they are heavily disappointed in
and my sister and her kids, beautiful and wonderful
as they may be and how my parents must see the decisions
that brought them into being. And I wonder,
have you answered their prayers?

They haven't shared with me what they have prayed for;
they've never told me how they wish my life to be
other than happy or what they wish for my brother
or sister or what they might desire for themselves,
but I know they have told you of all these things. I know
they have knelt before you and told you of all their secret guilt,
all their fears, all their burdens and I know they have found
peace and the will to go on in that telling, but have you
answered their prayers? Have you given them
what they asked for? I know you are not a sugar daddy
handing out goodies to your faithful children, but do you
answer the petitions that are brought to you? And if so, how?

It is said of your followers that one may know them by their works.
What have been your works? I know what is said of you,
I know all the arguments and all the positions people hold
and I know my parents not only ask, but thank you
for many blessings; I know at times they simply share
from their hearts the trivial things of one more day, but what
have you done? This is no accusation; this is no challenge.
I will make no deals with you, offer no bribes. I ask only this:
grant my parents' prayer for my life whatever it may be.


Poem copyright by Dennis Tyler.