God’s Chosen Season: A Prayer

Here is an inspiring Christmas poem written by John Paul Dollar, an inmate at a Florida correctional institution. John, who has earned a doctorate degree in theology while incarcerated, sends frequent letters of encouragement to me.

God’s Chosen Season: A Prayer

We come now worshiping and praising our New Born King,
With the Angelic Chorus we glorify Him as we shout and sing,
Blessed be Immanuel, God’s chosen one above all things.

We thank you, Father, for your servants you’ve sent our way,
Those who are “Special Men” serving us day by day,
Loving, caring, and guiding your flock along life’s way.

We also come praying a special prayer for Your chosen man,
Pastors and leaders who came according to Your divine plan,
Reflecting Your love and preaching the Gospel upon which they stand.

Thank you Lord for our men You’ve chosen who give their all,
Thank you Lord for our women who support, never wavering nor fall,
Thank you Lord for our Church whose gifts beacon’s the Macedonian call.

God you’ve blessed us richly even beyond our wildest imagination,
We thank you, Father, for your Son who brought us unto salvation,
We love you, honor you, Father, for ’tis the season for His celebration.

May we as your Body, Lord, always come glorifying You this season,
May Christ be returned to Christmas as fully the rightful reason,
We pray this in Jesus’ Blessed Name, Our Savior, Our King of this His richly blessed nation.

Amen.

The Promise

This was written by a Christian lady who works at Ormond in the Pines, an assisted living facility here in Ormond Beach.

The Promise

Written by the Spirit that moved me
Jane Darveaux

I lay curled up in my bed
Not knowing what to say
My mind was numb, my body weak
Then I began to pray

I didn’t know how to start, Lord
I stumbled on my words
But somehow you understood, Lord
And through my struggling You heard.

“Jesus, this is hard for me
No one taught me how.
I need Your help, don’t you know
And I need it now”

“I’m lonely, Lord, no one cares”
I beg, I plead, I cry
“No one seems to want me, Lord,
And I just don’t know why”

“I need an answer. Can’t You see?
You know I’m hurt”, I scream
I fall asleep scared and crying
And this is what I dream

A tall figure in the dark
That I could barely see
And He appeared ragged and torn
But seemed familiar to me

He slowly moved on toward me
His feet didn’t touch the ground
I hid my face, fell on my knees
On His head was a thorny crown!

I knew who it was in an instant
And I trembled as I fell
He leaned over me and softly asked,
“My child, what have you to tell?”

I whimpered, “Jesus, have mercy
On my weary soul
I’m bent, I’m broken and have no one
Whose hand I can hold”

“I’m lonely, sad, and shaken
And I don’t know what to do”
He reached out His arms to me
And gently promised, “I’ll hold you”

He lifted me in His arms
O! What a sweet embrace!
I knew right then and there
That I had been blessed with Grace

I awoke when the birds started singing
Yes, what a beautiful sound!
No longer alone and shaken
I felt God’s love all ‘round

I knew Jesus was with me
And His promise He would keep
I still feel the awe and wonder
Had I really been asleep?