joe bayly

"Psalm of Single-Mindedness"
Lord of reality, make me real,...not plastic, synthetic, pretend, phony,...an actor playing out his part – a hypocrite.
I don’t want to keep a prayer list...but to pray,
Nor agonize to find Your will...but to obey what I already know,
I don’t want to argue theories of inspiration...but to submit to Your Word.
I don’t want to explain the difference between eros and philos and agape...but to love.
I don’t want to sing as if I mean it...I want to mean it.
I don’t want to tell it like it is...but to be like You want it.
I don’t want to tell others how to do it...but to do it;
I don’t want to have to be always right...but to admit it when I’m wrong.
I don’t want to be a census taker...but an obstetrician
Nor an involved person, a professional...but a friend.
I don’t want to be insensitive...but to hurt where other people hurt
Nor to say “I know how you feel”...but to say, “God knows”...and “I’ll try if you’ll be patient with me”...and meanwhile I’ll be quiet.
I don’t want to scorn the clichés of others...but to mean everything I say – Including this.
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9-10)
from “Psalms of My Life” by Joseph Bayly.