You asked for my hands
that you might use them for your purpose.
I gave them for a moment, then withdrew them
for the work was hard.
You asked for my mouth
You asked for my mouth
to speak out against injustice.
I gave you a whisper that I might not be accused.
You asked for my eyes
You asked for my eyes
to see the pain of poverty.
I closed them for I did not want to see.
You asked for my life
You asked for my life
that you might work through me.
I gave a small part that I might not get too involved.
Lord, forgive my calculated efforts to serve you,
Lord, forgive my calculated efforts to serve you,
only when it is convenient for me to do so,
only in those places where it is safe to do so,
and only with those who make it easy to do so.
Father, forgive me,
Father, forgive me,
renew me,
send me out
as a usable instrument
that I might take seriously
the meaning of your cross.
Joe Seremane, 1938- , South African activist and politician
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If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
prayer & verse 
I routinely save select prayers that you post, Eric. This is one that I will save. One thing I appreciate about your selections is that way they cover the range of human experience and are born out of a cry of desperation. Thank you for this ministry.
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