SEND THE FIRE

On our trip through the prairies we saw many harvested wheat fields
receiving this treatment from the farmer.
This reminded me of a poem I wrote years ago.

Send your fire, Lord!
Like the controlled fire the farmer uses;
Bulldoze away the stubble,
deadwood and chaff of our life.
May our jealousies, gossip,
deceit and lies all go up in smoke,
Prepare our heart acre
so that the seed of Your Word
will bring fruit for eternity.

Send your fire, Lord!
Like the intense heat of the refiner’s furnace;
Get rid of the impurities,
burn away pride, fear, anger, and all manner of evil.
Transform us into the beautiful people you want us to be,
Shining as pure, unblemished gold,
reflecting Your glory.

Send your fire, Lord!
Like the powerful flame of the blow torch;
Cut through the man-made boundaries,
legalistic limitations,
and high walls we’ve erected.
Fuse in harmony, unity, and freedom all your people,
Men and women, parents and children,
That we would be one in the Spirit of love!

Send the fire, Lord!
Like the raging forest fire
that strikes with lightening swiftness;
Burn to the ground
all our self-centered lofty ideals
and reaching for the stars.
Bring forth the new growth,
the delicate flowers of love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,
To adorn our renewed, rejoicing heart.

Let us be on fire for you Lord!
Like the crackling blaze of a campfire
Spending itself in giving warmth,
comfort, and cheer to family and friends,
Keeping at bay the perils of darkness
And those little pesky annoyances.
Refueled by the power of the Holy Spirit
to melt the icy,
soften the hard,
and warm the weary heart;
Seeing everyone beautifully reflected
in its golden glow.

Karin Ristau