THE MOST MEMORABLE PRAYER

  DEAN'S BENEDICTION

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O the prayers to the Almighty
        I have heard in my life....

Prayers at great solemn convocations,
         uttered by godly men
               of noble stature...

Prayers of plain-old-regular people
         pouring out their hearts
                with their best abilities,
                       to God....

I have heard brilliant poetic prayers,
          a few akin to great literature...

There have been prayers of thankfulness,
          of supplication, prayers for blessings
                 on others---

There have been many prayers for the sick,
          the infirm, the sorrowing,
                   the down-and-out---

I have heard short prayers, and long prayers...
         I have heard the pray-ers putting words
                    into God's mouth: "O Lord, just
                          teach us...such-and-such!"

There have been good prayers...and likely
           bad ones, but who are we to judge?

God knows our hearts....

There is one prayer.........out of them all....
          The only one....I can remember
                  word for word....

Uttered from his nine-year-old-heart
           was little Dean's
               benediction

at the close of my (excellent) children's choir
           rehearsal at First Baptist Church,
                      Artesia, N.M in 1955...

I think Heaven heard little Dean, as he prayed:
             "Dear Lord, Bless the world,
               as it goes along...and help the
               little birds, that they will do nicely.
                    Amen."

(Amen.)

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BY MIL
04/09/14