Grant Us, O God, Not to Grow Numb

Grant us, O God, not to grow numb, Not to envy till we choke and suffocate, Not to deliberately tear open another's wound, Dismissing someone else's pain as nonsense.

Grant us, O God, not to play with trust, Not to hoard another's secret as evidence, Not to become a Judas for silver coins, Remaining a hypocrite of many faces.

Grant us, O Lord, not to be a toothache, That someone might weep for us through the night, Not to murder loyalty with betrayal, Juggling broken hearts in our hands.

Grant us, O Lord, not to forgive without sincerity, Not to keep offense always in our sights, Not to endlessly pick at old wounds, Setting traps of unforgiveness.

Grant us, O Lord, not to swallow heresy, Stumbling over the stones of pharisaism, Not to lead the saved astray from their path, Denying them the taste of heavenly bliss.

Grant us, O Lord, not to break another's life, Sowing lies with respectable appearance, That we might not reap tears, For shattered fates and injuries.

Oh, grant us, O Lord, not to lose Thee! That every breath be filled with Thee, Thy child to remain forever, Filled with love not of this earth!