No Looking Back

Kristine Cucinotta Murphy

I pray for our tempers, that if they become short
To not sin in anger, causing hurt

By way of projection, smearing, attacking words or physical abuse
On a rampage, tightening a noose

Hanging anyone in close vicinity
Yet, hanging ourselves, O God I plea

Fill us with your Holy Spirit to remain calm
To do what’s right and cause no harm

To stop blaming others for lack of self control
Not able to go with the flow

Bring us peace where there is upset
To keep us out of the snares and net

Renew a right spirit within
Life is too short to not let love win

We make decisions, not everything goes as planned
God make us content, no matter what state is at hand

Things happen and will go just the way they will
And when they don’t go our way, may we remain still

Trust the Lord with our whole heart
And not let our thoughts and emotions lead us to fall apart

But, let God have full control
To be humble and meek always ready to go

In whatever direction laid out before us
Eyes focused solely on Jesus

Whether it was preventable or not
How we handle where we are determines the plot

Falling short of the glory of God this hour
Or testifying of God’s great glory and power

Keep us mindful by your Holy Spirit and Word
To not look back, only moving forward

Luke 9:54-62
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Prayer of Jabez

1 Chronicles 4:9-10
9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.