Bend Your Knee

Oh, Ezra, I feel your sorrow Tearing your tunic and cloak Pulling hair from head and beard Sitting down with heart broke A teacher versed in Law of Moses Given by the LORD God of israel Hearing the priests and Levites Mixing with neighboring people Everyone who trembled at the Words of God of Israel Gathered around Ezra because Of unfaithfulness of exiles We fnd ourselves in similar situations, The "Persia" of then is now Iran, Our America is divided on various fronts It seems difficult for any plans Is it not time we join Ezra's example As he prayed from deep serf-abasement? Is it not time we fall on our knees praying to God For America's misplaced, sinful discontent? The Israelites gathered around Ezra They, too, wept bitterly in remorse Could it happen in USA? Dear LORD, our ways have strayed far off course -Evelyn Pearl Anderson