People walked through my prayers
And I never noticed
Intent on my own affairs.
People walked through my prayers
And I saw them—
Intrusive, disrupting, distracting.
[Now] people walk through my prayers
And I include them—
Caring, giving, blessing.
People walk through my prayers
And change me—
Disturbing, demanding, enlarging.
People walk through my prayers
And embrace me—
Healing, loving, forgiving.
People walk through my prayers
Bearing the Christ—
Transforming me.
(“Prayers of the People” by Susan Baker-Lehne.)
Loving God, help us to look deeply into the hearts of those who walk through our prayers—perhaps the way Mr. Rogers did in the movie Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.—AMEN.
