In the Hands of Prayer #2234 (Poem)

In the Hands of Prayer When you lift your hands in prayer, Do you think I seek your offerings, Countless rituals and gifts? I’ve had enough of these hollow acts, Empty words that drift. Who asked you to parade before Me, To tread My courts with meaningless noise? Your gatherings, your incense, They reek of pretension, A stench I can no longer bear. Your Sabbaths, your feasts, They’ve become corrupted, A burden on My weary soul. Stop your hollow charades, Your outward shows of piety, And heed My call instead. Wash and make yourselves clean, Purify your hearts and deeds. Remove the evil from My sight, Cease to do wrong, Learn to do right. Seek justice for the oppressed, Stand up for the downtrodden, Reprove the ruthless and cold. This is the worship I seek, Not offerings, but lives made whole. Lift your hands in true prayer, With hearts sincere and pure. For only then will I hear, And your voices will reach My ear. In the hands of genuine faith, In the acts of righteous love, There you’ll find My favor, There you’ll see My grace above. -Steven G. Lee (July 6, 2024)