Pen Prayers

I found “Prayers from the Ark” by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold at a used book store a few years ago. There are twenty-seven poems, each a simple prayer by one of the animals on Noah’s Ark. Noah starts the book as he cries out “Lord, what a menagerie! Between your downpour and these animal cries one cannot hear oneself think! The days are long, Lord….” Some of my favorite poems are: the prayer of the companion dog, “No one but You and I understands what faithfulness is…”; the singing cricket, “this little impulse of my love: this note of music You have set thrilling in my heart”; the dowdy elephant, “I am so embarrassed by my great self, and truly it is not my fault if I spoil Your jungle a little with my big feet…”; and the confident rooster, “I am Your servant, only… do not forget, Lord, I make the sun rise.” But the one that comes closest to my own prayer is the Prayer of the Butterfly.

Lord!
Where was I?
Oh yes! This flower, this sun,
Thank You! Your world
is beautiful!
The scent of roses…
Where was I?
A drop of dew rolls
to sparkle in a lily’s heart.
I have to go…
Where? I do not know!
The wind has painted fancies
on my wings.
Fancies…
Where was I?
Oh yes!
Lord,
I had something to tell you:
Amen

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, How do you separate all of the prayers and make each one heard? You welcome our prayers as they come from our heart, not as ideal, but from our lives and from our needs. Sometimes we are like Noah, exhausted by the day’s demands and unyielding clamor. Our days are long and we seek relief. Sometimes we are closer to the arrogant rooster who has more need for recognition in saying our prayers than truly seeking Your will. Often we are distracted as the butterfly, landing on one cause for only a moment before finding interest in the next one over or being pushed away by the winds of demands. Help us to remain faithful and joyful in our commitment to following Christ. O God, we are a menagerie of talents and personalities! Lead us off together to further your mission. Amen.