A Prayer – Pleading For Mercy Poem by Angelina Pandian

I am not righteous, Oh! Lord,
That I can like Job, boldly ask
“What have I done? ”
But, what have I left undone
Putting off some small help,
Lying, leading a life of sin
Justifying my actions by saying
I hurt no one, what harm is done
Putting a show of doing good
All these and more
Pride, trust in self
Setting store upon worldly goals
Seeking earthly wealth rather than
Storing heavenly riches,
Are these not sin?
Resolving on each instant of revelation
Not to sin any more, still backsliding.
I have no face to ask you God
Why? Why, this pain?
Why this torture and trouble?
Why does misfortune follow like a shadow?
I cannot ask you, why?
Because, I know my sins.
I ask you Lord to forgive me
It is no justification,
But, still, I did not sin willfully
I did not realize it was a sin
Forgive me, Lord make me clean.
By your love, by your grace
Not by my actions or deeds
Your grace and mercy
Your blessings alone can frutify
Any effort of mine,
Whatever I do is never enough
Unless you Will, it will not multiply.
I do not ask you, Lord! Why?
Because, I know it is my own sin
Which is now eating my heart.
I just ask you Lord, to take off
The axe from my root, my branches
According to your desire prune and
Give me another chance to try and bear fruit.

[JOB - A character from the bible, who was righteous but allowed by God to be tested by Satan. Though he suffered & questioned his sufferings he refused to forsake God]