little girl keeping vigil

 There is a little girl in my heart keeping vigil

she is kneeling, keeping a candle lit,

praying for her dad around the clock

of course mom is there too, and her little sister 

all the time, there beside her, 

pouring out love and prayer and fears and hopes

there, for the man we love so dearly

Does God see, does he hear? 

Where is He as we pray?

 “i’m praying for your dad” someone else says

words like a gentle hand on the shoulder

other people going in and out, joining the vigil

the plea for help and mercy

Our small voices, joined with other voices

echo in that holy space

Hear my cry, O God;

    listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to You,

    I call as my heart grows faint;

    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been my refuge,

    a strong tower against the foe.

I long to dwell in Your tent forever

    and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. (Psalm 61)

And underneath our pleading voices; 

another voice pleads- strong and commanding

rich with compassion 

and deep with wisdom beyond our understanding

God Himself prays with us. 

And we are not alone.

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, (Romans 8)