Lord, I start so strong 
     				saying  "Anywhere!" 
			And I try to war and to defend you 
     				with sharpness and steel.
	
			But Lord, I merely maim and wound;
				You alone can heal.
			And then, bewildered in the mess,
				I start denying, all confused.

			But Lord, that crowing in the night
				has jerked my spirit to attention.
	
			And now I know--You knew it then--
				I'm weak,
				inept,
				cowardly,
				betraying,
				dust,
				guilty--just like him.*

			O Lord, compassionate and healing,
				You prayed then.
	
			And now I turn
				in humble weakness and 
					in faith
				to worship You-and then to strengthen them.

			Hallowed by Thy name!



		*The high priest's servant, if read from Peter's point of view; 
		Peter,if read from a personal point of view.

		From Luke 22:31-62
		Carolyn Roper