Prayer for Others: Bernie Smith - Meditations on Prayer

In early February, Wednesday Night Spiritual Formation was focused on the rhythm of Loving Others Well.  There were five stations set up and the community rotated through them, spending time to meditate on the scripture and/or prayers.  One of the stations had Bernie Smith's Prayer for Others on it.  It was phrases of things that humanity cannot accomplish, but always refrained with the phrase "but I know One who can."  This rhythmical see-saw phrasing really resonated with Erin, one of Solidarity's staff members.

Immediately after reading this prayer one teen popped into her mind.  Erin wished that she could make the teen know their complete value, to see how truly beautiful she is, and to make the stressful trauma go away, but reading this prayer, Erin realized how limited she is.  Erin does not have the capability or ability to be all of that in her friend's life.  In some odd way the phrase "I cannot..." was so comforting.   Erin always knew this, but so often we carry the responsibility of others on our own shoulders.   I guess this is what makes the refrain "but I know One who can," so incredibly powerful.

Enjoy the prayer...
- kev

I cannot make the sparrow fly,

Nor can I understand

What makes the clouds hang in the sky,

But I know One who can.

I cannot make the ocean waves

Dash forth against the land:

I cannot help the soul that craves,

But I know One who can.

I cannot hear the humble prayers

Of those of foreign clans;

I cannot ease their wants and cares,

But I know One who can.

I cannot lead the erring ones

With mine own trembling hand;

Nor yet restore the hope that's gone,

But I know One who can.

I cannot see the broken hearts

That long for joy again;

Nor can I mend the broken parts,

But I know One who can.

I cannot heal the many ills

That come so oft to man;

I cannot give the joy that fills,

But I know One who can.

I cannot know why trials fall

Within our life's short span;

But my God understands it all,

And He's the One who can!