For Our Children

Albert Edelfelt

For Our Children

Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying;
We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril;
Father, hear us for our children.

From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them;
Father, hear us for our children.

From the worldling’s hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Father, Father, keep our children.

Through life’s troubles waters steer them;
Through  life’s bitter battle cheer them;
Father, Father, be Thou near them.

Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.

And wherever they may bide,
Lead them Home at eventide.

      Amy Carmichael 

A hard day. Too often, as a parent, I don't know what to do or think. I'm in that place again. I'm heartsick for my boy. What is happening? There are too many questions without answers. What can I do to help him when I don't even understand what's happening?  Fear, fear, fear - sometimes it floods me and carries me away with it. I know better. I know better. But it's got it's grip on me. God help me. God help him. God help us all. "Read the language of our longing."