I’ve been reading in the book of Lamentations this month. The poetic structure is incredible, in a way I never realized before, though I’ve read the Bible all my life. In four out of five chapters, there are twenty-two verses each, corresponding to and beginning with the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, in turn. That is, except in chapter three, where there are sixty-six verses – and three in a row begin with each letter, in turn.
I thought this was so cool that I tried writing an English prayer along the same lines, just for fun.
All of me is yours, Father
Best of beings in the universe.
Create me still and always according to your will.
Do not desert me while I am incomplete.
Ever be with me, Lord,
For you are
Good, and all your works toward me are
Healing.
I am lost without you
Just as an infant is misplaced without her mother.
Knowing you is my best destiny.
Let me grow in this knowledge. Reveal yourself to
Meet me where I
Need you most,
O holy one.
Please do not be silent to me.
Quiet me with the songs of your fatherhood, the most
Restful place for a child to belong.
Sing to me of who you are, and who I am in you.
Teach me to say less to you and listen more, that I may
Understand our right places and learn to know your
Voice.
When I am grown, let me be like you.
X out my sins.
You are my lasting home. Keep me in the comfort
Zone of your proximity.
If you try this yourself, I’d love to see it. ❤ Share a link to your site? Or post it here in the comments?
So beautiful, Shari. ❤️
That is beautiful, Shari! And yes, it makes me want to grab a pen and try it!
Abba, Father!
Before the earth was
Created. You were there!
Divine Father,
Everything created was made by You!
Father
God,
Heavens and earth,
Invisible and seen,
Jesus, You were there!
Kindly meeting us,
Lovingly entreating us,
Meeting us where we are!
No one but You,
Oh, Lord
Provides
Quiet assurance,
Rest for our souls,
Satisfaction within,
Truth and
Understanding!
Verily,
We wait
Xcitedly for
Your appearing!
Zealously yours, Amen!
Well done! 🙂
Oooh great job! ????
This is beautiful and heart-felt and clever.
This, and the pictures that go with it, made me cry…
I didn’t know that about Lamentations! Now I want to write my own ABC prayer! Yours was beautiful!
Shari, Is that last picture your grandpa? If so, is he holding you? LRM
Yes, it is my grandpa, Eli Yutzy! He is holding my firstborn son Aarick… picture taken about fifteen years ago. He passed away in 2013. ❤️
Beautifully done, and a great prayer besides! Great picture of your grandpa! He was a one of a kind rare guy from his era.
Beautiful and profound in its simplicity. You know how sometimes you just need a form to follow. Maybe Jeremiah was so empty and sad that if he could just focus on the alphabet, it would guide his words.I need to tuck away this tool.
I wrote 2 – one a lament since it is based on the book of Lamentations. And one a “normal” prayer.
Another abnormal
Baby
Crying parents.
Dying. Life slowly
Ebbing.
Futility and finality.
Grief. God
Help us. Hear us. Where are you?
Incline your ear to us & come. Where is your
Justice?
Kindness?
Love &
Mercy? Your presence
Not felt.
Only silence
Powerlessness
Quaking within me.
Remind me of your
Steadfast love. Of your
Truth &
Undying promises. Never ending faithfulness.
Verily I will trust in you.
Whisper comfort & strength to my soul
Xpert Comforter & Counsellor.
You alone are God. May you
Zeal preserve us.
Almighty
Beginning & End
Creator of Heaven and Earth
Draw me to yourself
Eternal
Father
Grant me your comfort
Heal my hurting heart. Forgive my
Iniquities.
Justify me in your presence.
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Lead me in your paths.
Make me know your voice.
Never leave me alone.
Open my eyes to your view of the world.
Plant perseverance in my heart.
Quiet my strivings.
Renew my soul.
Satisfy my thirst.
Teach me your ways.
Undergird me – my hands, my strength.
Verily You are God.
While I wait for you, I will praise you.
Xcept for you, there is no other god.
You alone are worthy. May
Zeal for you consume me.
I really enjoyed these as a new way to worship – although as you can see V, X and Z were challenging!
Oh wow – I love these. I like the continuity of thought, and your clever uses of X words… but also a few really good lines – “While I wait for you, I will praise you” was my favorite. Thank you for sharing! ❤