The Poetic Challenge, #92

Poetry of Christian Faith

10-2, 10-2, SHOW NOTES & COPYRIGHTS, (Scheduled 2/23/23)

Today we have poems about prayer and a poem competition that I think I lost years ago.

The first poem is unpublished and was written in September of 2020.

AN ANSWER TO PRAYER

I thought I could stop

The up and down hop

Going on in my mind.

Could peace again I find?

Speak up

Shut up

What is right

Not what might

So, I knelt and began to pray.

The answer, “do not betray

Your fellow believers,

Expose the deceivers.”

There are moments

I hear comments

Saying words I’ve written

Should never be hidden.

As my mind started to wander,

I knew it was time to pray.

Tilting my head I looked yonder

And asked God, “what do I say?”

I see the world in a haze,

With so many in a daze,

Not knowing where the truth lays

Too many yays, too few nays.

I said, “Lord, what can be done?”

He answered, “it is simple my son.

Read the book of prophecy.

Not books of philosophy.”

“Today you pray

To know the way.

You already know it,

Now you must share it.”

So, I will continue to write

Of how yesterday and today

Have and still explain tomorrow,

As the “god of this world” brings sorrow. (2 Cor. 4:4)

I was left with this:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Put on the full armor of God, so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians :10-16, NIV)

9/19,20/2021, tcarter

Discussion:

The next poem is also unpublished and was written in August of 2022.

WORDS FROM A PRAYER

Words to write on this night,

I had a thought of what they ought

This night to say, first I must pray.

Dear Father in Heaven above,

I pray this night for words of love,

The words I can share

Expressing Your care.

The words of thanksgiving,

The life I am living,

My tomorrow

Without sorrow.

May the word

I have heard

Be what I write

This blessed night.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen, again this day.

Thank You Lord.

I have adored

The rhymes You are giving

And the life I am living.

May I now be led to share

The blessing of Your loving care.

tcarter, 8/8/2022, 10:49 pm

Discussion:

Now for the competition: Years ago, I challenged my wife to write a poem in response to one I had written. They are in God Still Rhymes on pages 26 and 27.

Here is mine.

HIS – SUNDAY EVENING

sitting

the chair is

comfortable

as are

the thoughts

of you

remember the times

good and bad

yes

but

like this chair

they are comfortable

I do

yes

I do

Love you

I have

through

the years

my dear

And now hers.

HERS – NOVEMBER 9, 1975

you

blue eyes

my love is

all in you

you

my dear

have in you

all my happiness

cuz my

happiness is you

you

forever

will have my

love

for

you alone

are my

love

my happiness

my life

you have been

my

God-send

my

husband

Reflection on His – Sunday Evening

Sometimes I’m not sure who the better poet is. I do know who the better of the two of us is. As I have loved her, as she has loved me, I have learned.

Discussion:

Now another poem about prayer, one I should start every day praying. It is in God Still Rhymes on page 27.

MY PRAYER TODAY

Lord, tell me what to pray.

Tell me what I should say.

May your Spirit that is holy

Be at my side, my guide solely.

What I do learn

I do not earn,

But by your grace

I now have faith.

You lead me not astray.

You show me the path to stay.

It is thru your Spirit

That I now can learn it.

Lead me, guide me,

Take my life and set me free.

Discussion:

AS WE CLOSE IN PRAYER, MAY WE CONTINUE IN PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father we come to you in prayer as we end today’s podcast. Dave and I thank You for Your leading us through the day and into tomorrow. We pray that today has been pleasing to You and honors Your glory.

We pray for our listeners and viewers; for their needs, healing and the salvation of those who have not yet accepted the gift of Your grace by faith.

We pray, Lord, for this world in which we live. Father, as Christians lead us to proclaiming the gospel where ever we are. May we do so in a loving way. Lead us to the truth of the days we are living in. We pray for the nation of Ukraine and its people; its leaders and those who are fighting the invading army of their enemy. May their faith and determination be an example to the entire world.

Dear Lord, prepare us and our listeners and viewers for the coming week. We pray that it is You we live for and You who leads us. As we walk with you this week, may it be Your hand clasped around our hand so we may feel the grasp of Your love.

We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer.

Amen (2/15/23)

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"If you give Him the times As you live His word rhymes "

"We are the King’s kids and you’ll never get rid of us because we are His with Jesus."

If you give

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