Lord, How Do I Write Like Saint Paul? Poem by Denis Martindale

Lord, how do I write like Saint Paul, anointed as he was?
I know I'd need a miracle to preach about the Cross.
Christ said His grace was quite enough, granting Paul His favour,
Who wrote of Him, the King of Love, Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
Yet Paul was quite the scholar, too, and blameless to the law,
So credit there, where it was due, for who could ask for more?
Yet You gave more, and more besides. Is there some left for me?
If so, the Holy Spirit guides with truth and prophecy,
Such that the Heavens split apart, and Paradise awaits.
If You but heal this broken heart, to enter Heaven's Gates.
To let me walk with saints You chose to write like Paul as well,
To preach, before their lives must close, to save lost souls from Hell.
If I but study what Paul shared, I'd imitate each phrase.
I'd stimulate, so others cared, to sing the Saviour's praise.
I'd fashion phrases to impress the doubters to repent,
Through waterfalls of happiness, and diamonds, Heaven-sent,
And perfumes, fit for royalty, and robes, pristine and white,
If You would bless my poetry, with wondrous words to write.
If not, then why deny this soul, this diamond in the rough?
This writer with a single goal, to share the Saviour's love.
How else could I begin to know the Scriptures to impart,
Unless You helped my faith to grow to pour out from my heart?
Lord, I don't speak in tongues as yet, nor meet with crowds each day,
Yet, Lord, I've got the Internet, why then must I delay?
Anoint me, Lord, to write like Paul, with precious poetry.
If You bestow this miracle, I'll leave a legacy!
While centuries go fleeting by, the poems will endure!
Explaining why Christ had to die, forgiveness to ensure!


Denis Martindale. September 2020.