Pray

I mentioned a song in one of my posts yesterday called "Pray" by an artist named Kendall Payne. The lyrics have been bouncing around my head all day, bouncing between me and God as I think of various people and situations in my life. I'm asking Him for these things for me, and for a whole lot of other people I know.

I think I mentioned yesterday that this song almost always reminds me of my friends Marty and Kari. Everytime I hear it, they come to mind. Maybe because they live so many of the truths that Kendall sings about, or maybe because I know them well enough to know that they might pray a prayer that at first glance seems unorthodox and dangerous as this one, but upon closer examination is full of deep and meaningful truths.

I'm particularly caught by the lines that say "May your heart break enough that compassion enters in, may your strength all be spent upon the weak... and when you look upon the broken, may mercy show you what you could not see..." I'll end my intro the same way she ends the song. I'll pray these things for all of you, if you'll only pray the same for me.

So, without further ado, the lyrics to the song that is playing on my ipod even as I write:

I will pray for you now for you have been my faithful friends
While the road we walk is difficult indeed
I couldn’t not ask for more than what you’ve already been
Only that you would say these prayers for me

May your heart break enough that compassion enters in
May your strength all be spent upon the weak
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall come crashing down around your feet

May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater each stride
May your company be of humble insignificance
May your weakness be your only source of pride

What you do unto others may it all be done to you
May you meet the one who made us
And see him smile when life is through

May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they’d be
And when you look upon the broken
May mercy show you what you could not see
May you never be sure of any plans you desire
But you’d learn to trust the plan he has for you
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire
May you fight with all your life for what is true

I have prayed for you now all of my dear and faithful friends
But what I wish is more than I could ever speak
As the way wanders on I’ll long to see you once again
Until then, would you pray these prayers for me?
Oh that you would pray for me.