Turn my way, O Lord, and hear me; for I am poor, and in misery.
I have prayed to you when I was a child and living in a house with food and water.
Now I am on the streets and the snow and rain show no mercy.
I sometimes beg and sometimes work for food.
It is not easy to stay alive.
People on all sides show me disrespect and take advantage of me.
One day someone handed me a bag of helpful things.
There were blankets and socks and a hamburger.
The hands that gave them to me shook my hand.
Their eyes were smiling as they gave their name and asked for mine.
They called me relative.
I knew they came from you, O Lord.
For you Lord, are good and gracious and give mercy to all who call on you.
You have servants who show their gratitude
By helping those in need.
Teach me your way, Lord.
That I might get off the streets
And walk in your truth.
I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart
And will praise your name forever.
I have not forgotten you God.
Do not forget me.
Image above (and on front-page mastheads): Shattered Wings by Melissa Strickler.
Words above: Psalm 151 by Jay Begay, a member of Spirit Journey Youth, a Native American Episcopal Youth group from Northern Arizona working on their faith journey step-by-step (an Outreach program of the Diocese of Arizona since 2000). Read “Fling It” here. Read more about Spirit Journey Youth here and here.
Note: Kaze Gadway works with the emerging leaders of the Episcopal Church within the Native American community of Northern Arizona. She says: “They are youth of promise from twelve to twenty.”