Prayers FromThe Congo
Lenore Murray
October 2013
What would determine what each
species would pray?
What would they say on this magical
day?
Would they ask for a change in their
lives full of strife?
Or would they be content that the
Lord gave them life?
Would they pray as a group, by size
or by might?
Would they pray in the heat or the
cool of the night?
Their decision was made to pray as
they felt.
No matter their strength, their size
or color of pelt.
Each could complain or praise as they
each chose.
And promises of no repercussions from
the masses arose!
They met at the watering hole and all
agreed to be
Peaceful beneath the shade of the
spreading Flambeau tree.
Everyone thought it would be the Lion
who’d begin
But the tiny little Dik-Dik lifted
her chin.
I’d like to ask the Lord why He made
me so small
And made “dik-dik-dik-dik” my
personal warning call.
"I want to ask if He forgets about me
as I try to stay alive
Hidden and safe from those alert amber
eyes."
The Hippopotamus waddled up from the watering
hole mud
And stood her ground as each foot
made a thud.
"I’d like to ask the Lord why he made
me so ugly.
Why nothing I wear fits me and I am
all pudgy."
The Lion spoke up next and all looked
to the king.
Surely he had no complaints to the
Lord to bring.
"Lord, why did you think I a leader
would make?
Is it only speed and a heart of
courage it takes?
I’m tired of this job if that is the
case.
Give it to another these daily
challenges to face!"
The small, bright blue Kingfisher
landed on a branch where all could see
“I’m not a very good prayer of
prayers,” said she
"But I know the Lord gave me music to
sing
To do it to my best is my thanks to
Him I bring."
The Zebra pawed the grass to announce
his turn
"I only yearn for a coat of one color
instead of two!
These stripes are only good for a
jail or a zoo.
What was He thinking when He made the
Okapi and me
There’s nowhere to hide in this
grassland of ours
So we are on the run most of each
day’s hours."
The Monkey sprang down from a branch
in the tree
"
With a face like this who will take
me seriously?
Why, Oh Lord, did you make me so,”
he asked with a frown?
About the only job I can get is that
of a clown!"
The voice of the next speaker came
from above
“I see the entire world from a
different perspective – a view I love!"
The Giraffe acted all pious and felt
she was “above” all but a few
She quickly pointed out that she and
the Lord had the same view!
All took a step back as the next
speaker arrived on the scene
What an Army Ant could do in just a
few minutes was to pick any bone clean!
With a glare in his eyes the ant did
say, “I thought we were not going to condemn
at this prayer meeting of ours.
“The Lord made me so after pondering
my design for hours.”
I
do what the Lord designed me to do and manage my Army business quite
well.
And if you don‘t like it you can all
go to…"
In she flew with her tail of
distinctive red feathers
And the African Gray Parrott perched
on a branch worn smooth by the weather.
"You all do know I am not one to
repeat what I hear
So you better listen carefully the
first time I come near!
If the Lord didn’t want me to tell
all I know
Don’t you think He would have surely
told me so?"
"I can’t stay long," said the Butterfly.
"I just want the Lord to know what a beautiful job He has done!
I have the scent of trees and
flowers. I have the beautiful blue sky in which to flutter. It’s like a lottery
won!
I can flitter and go to and fro and
see the rest of you far below
Do you realize what blessed creatures
we are from the word go?"
Up the Evil One crept from the
water’s edge- all eyes watched and tried to show no fear
He slowly approached and gave his
famous Crocodile smile as he got way to near.
“When I pray today ,’ he said, ”I
will ask the Lord why he made me such a detested fellow.
I am what I am through no fault of my
own but in misery I will not wallow.”
The ground began to tremble and the
others tried to hide their great mirth.
In the Lady Elephant walked with
dignity and grace in spite of her great girth.
Her prayer was one of supplication to
be able to keep her positive behavior and attitude
In spite of the mean words she heard
she rejoiced for her life with gratitude
The Bonobos came together to the
gathering as a unique family of Chimps – no others like them anywhere.
The Lord had closed them in by Rivers
and kept them safe right there.
“”No needs have we,” the female leader
told all,” for our sanctuary the Lord did prepare.
So we are here just to say thanks
That the Lord keeps us safe along these
Congo River banks.”
“ Wait, wait for me, I’m coming!” Mrs. Turtle cried! “It’s not fun or quick to move your home all
the time.
What I want to ask for is other
living arrangements. Lord, I don’t mean to whine,
But, did You really think my design through?
I could have done so much better! Did You have
a clue?
I mean, really. Never leave the
house!? What’s a girl to do?"
The Leopard just sauntered through as
a great “cat”. All knew she had that cat attitude and more.
She neither prayed nor said a thing, just
did as she pleased. Licked her whiskers, left and told no one what was in
store.
The last to speak was the African
dove. The bird of peace with her soft songs to sing.
"We all have asked or told the Lord today.
But Animals of Congo, for Him what did we bring?
Pause for a moment and think it all
through
What all the Lord has done for each
and every one of you."
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