Light the Flare of Prayer

If you’re stranded in the snowy Alps

Light a flare.

 

Often, a helicopter

Closes in, dropping

A flask of hot chocolate

Toblerone, brandy.

 

With luck, a St. Bernard might be on his way.

* * *

 In the steamy forests

Cut off by a tsunami

 

Light a flare

Wait for the air drop,

Water, rich in electrolytes,

Yoghurt drinks, protein bars.

* * *

And

In the English countryside

On a lovely April day,

Unaccountably low-spirited,

Running out of Go,

Light the flare of prayer.

 

And the same power

Which raised Jesus from the dead

Comes.

 

The living water of the Holy Spirit

Slowly fills you.

 

You become aware of Jesus,

Your brother walking beside you,

And the Father smiling down on you.

 

You ask,

Believe,

And receive the Spirit.

 

He will brighten your depression,

Help when you don’t want to get out of bed.

Help you get on with exercise,

Stay off the sugar,

Bite back that mean retort.

 

Light the flare of prayer,

Oh bankrupt one,

Bankrupt of kindness,

Bankrupt of energy.

 

Your soul needs surgery

But you are no surgeon.

Light the flare of prayer.

 

And He, ultimate plastic surgeon

Will pare the tiger-claws of acridity,

Implant sweetness.

 

All livings things grow and change.

 

Light the flare of prayer

To grow into your inheritance

To become One who lives in Jesus,

And in whom Jesus lives.