Prayer 1

When I come into Your House,
I am as a child once more, Oh Lord.
Though I turned far from You,
Though I spent my days wallowing

In the wasteplaces as a drunkard, a liar
And a thief, You never ceased speaking.
Though I fought to abandon You,
You sought to capture my heart,

To set me apart, to teach me to speak
Freely. Your arm was never far from me.
Like a rebellious child in need
Of correction, You corrected me.

You brought me to the place of breaking
And with my voice, I cried out.
I cried out, and You heard me, Oh Lord,
My Lord! You opened Your arms wide

And welcomed me as the wayward
Son, the one who was lost, but was found.
You slaughtered Your fatted calf,
Made cakes of fine flour; You called

Together Your servants and sat me
In the seat of honor at Your table.
But who am I, Oh Lord, that I would find
Favor in Your eyes? For I am despised,

Even in my own eyes, esteemed even
Lower than the dogs in royal courts,
And I have proven myself altogether
Worthless in the sight of the world.

You rebuked me; with a gentle word
You corrected me, and I saw myself
As You see me, a child seated at his
Father's table, washed clean and free

From the filth of wallowing in mud,
A new creation. How then could I return
To feeding on refuse in the streets?
And even as I sought You, You revealed

Yourself to me. Teach me Your ways,
Oh Lord, That I may never depart
From Your presence! And even now,
Do not hide Your face from me!

When I cry out to You in the night,
Do not be silent, And when I mourn
Before You in the morning, incline
Your ear to hear me! Like a son,

Reveal the mysteries of my Father's
House kept hidden from those wise
And prudent in their own eyes.
Speak to my heart, and I will not be

Silent; stir up my heart after Your's,
And I will praise You forevermore!