A few weeks ago I posted one of those whiny, doubtful things. I just wanted to say, “God cut through the crap already.” Shortly after that, he gave me a poem that seems to have been a response to that post. There are two versions of the poem, and I’ll post the short one first.
As usual, you can click on the evoca recording to hear me read it. (I’m having more and more fun with these audio productions in audacity…) If you are really a glutton for punishment, you can subscribe to my podcast! (It’s really just me at my kitchen table late at night.)
Looking for Intimacy
I want your R-rated prayers.
You think I can’t handle it?
Polite words leave me cold—
Congested and snot-filled.
I won’t use tissue. I’ll snort
You down, roll you into a ball
Of yellow phlegm with my tongue,
Hock up a church and spit it out.
Wasn’t that a happy little response from God? Happy Friday, everyone!
10 comments ↓
Not sure what to say. I mean, it’s great. And it’s awful too. : )
L.L. Barkat’s last blog post..I Remember
I guess I have a lot to learn about poetry—not just what it is, but what it snot.
Camille’s last blog post..Shane Sent Me A Castle
Somebody gave me five stars on this poem in feedburner! Thanks whoever did that.
LL, I aim for visceral responses. Sometimes things like this walk a fine line between getting a cheap rise and being good. Personally, I always enjoy the gross-out factor. : )
Camille, oh my. You are hilarious!
Brings a whole new image to the church of Laodicea. Certainly jars the picture we have of God from paintings with soft lighting.
Heather’s last blog post..Hee-hee
Great!
I grew up with the high-sounding, almost-too-holy prayers pronounced from pulpits and congregants, and have little patience for prayers that don’t get to the point. Yes, we have a sample prayer from Christ Himself, but that doesn’t mean we approach God with a formula or an agenda. Who do we think we’re kidding? He knows everything before we think or speak it; He’s just waiting for us to talk to Him.
Keanan Brand’s last blog post..Home!
Yes, I think the truly genuine prayer is what we need to pray if we’re really praying. It has to be from a heart even if a broken or ravaged heart.
Ted Gossard’s last blog post..“Heron Road - suffering” by L.L. Barkat
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I tried to comment the day you put this up but the internet wouldn’t let me. Or God wouldn’t.
Great poetry. A vivd image, certainly.
As to the point, absolutely I agree God does not want us to be lukewarm … which I guess polite would indicate. But I’ve always wondered, seriously, does he want us cold? He said, essentially, cold is better than lukewarm, but does He want us cold?
Seems to me, our culture has gotten comfortable with our Job right to accuse God. But Job, when he came face to face with God, had his face to the ground and was repenting in dust and ashes.
What if “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief” characterized our prayers more than r-rated tirades?
Becky
Rebecca LuElla Miller’s last blog post..The “S†Word
No comment … Just wanted you to know this makes me smile.
I agree!! We need to be real with God if we want Him to cut through the crap…
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