Far From Home
A Prayer for A Friend

O Lord, my friend is far from home tonight,
Somewhere in the dark, away from the light.
I do not know where she's going or why,
I don't understand. I can only cry
And pray. Always pray for her to come -
Back to the people who love her and home.

I know it is hard to repent and change,
And saying, "I'm wrong," can feel so strange.
But, the road she is going is hard and rough,
It leads nowhere good. Will it be enough
To make her turn back and come again
To peaceful, green pastures where she had been?

Lord, let your kindness lead her back
To the place where she thrived and knew no lack
In the things of the spirit, soul, and mind;
Back to the places where she will find
That peace and contentment only You give,
That fills us with joy and the will to live.

And may your goodness lead her to
Repentance and sorrow that will renew
Her spirit in the things You love best.
May she remember in You is her rest.
And every step, of her crooked way
May she remember that blessed day
When You saved her and washed her sins away.

O, my heart hurts for the choices made;
The mistaken way; the steep, steep grade
That's she sliding down to a miry pit.
Dear Lord, please comfort her heart a bit
That she might remember the feel of your love,
And turn her mind back to the things above.

Give her a godly sorrow and pain
For the wayward feet and empty gain,
For reaching for things that cannot fulfill,
For looking for peace outside Your will.
She is loved - oh, please let her know -
Is missed and lamented and wanted so.

Give her that hunger and thirst for You
That will drive her back to the place she knew,
Where the cool, clear waters refresh the soul,
Where You Spirit and fellowship make whole.
O, God, don't let her become a prey;
Show Yourself strong in some mighty way.
In Jesus' holy name I pray.

Mary E. Stephens
Jan. 2023

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me.

Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness
of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Psalm 71:20 Thou, which hast shewed me great
and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt
bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

background and graphics by Mary Stephens
vintage graphic: unknown source