Interrupted Prayer

Today,

Dear Lord,

I knelt to pray for one afflicted—

But paused with words unsaid

For I (in my limited wisdom)

Had been about to ask,

As always,

That the sick one be healed;

That all suffering cease.

In short,

That all should have

a happy ending

All the time.

Oh, dear Father, instead I give thanks

That Thou, (in Thine Infinite Wisdom)

Art able to

Edit my prayers,

Lest, in my well-intentioned concern

I should shield those I love

From the very trials

They may need

To bring them

Close

To thee.