Without Ceasing: A Poem by Lisa Borden

Published: October 22nd, 2008

And this is how we pray
Backs nestled into the hammock
Faces turned toward the stars
The warm air lifts against us
And we are quiet, quiet
As you, God, speak to us
About how big you are

And this is how we pray
Sitting on the leaf strewn ground
Peering across the pattern of sun and shade
The clear pool under the giant fig
Where the monitor lizard slips through the water
And we whisper our worshipful thanks
Again and again

And this is how we pray
Standing in the kitchen
Speaking out the worries in our minds
Telling this perfect parent God
Just how small our faith feels
Conscious of how sweetly ludicrous
Our doubts must appear

And this is how we pray
Curled into our duvets
Safely tucked in on this wind blown night
Thoughts far from here
With our friends who sit in vigil
Waiting for a precious life to pass
Maybe even tonight

And this is how we pray
With longing
And with hope
With stress
And with joy
With daring
And with simple words

Lisa Borden (along with her husband Byron) has spent the last twenty two years nurturing new Christians first among the Maasai in Kenya's wilderness, then among urban tribes of young people in Europe.  They are now living in Tanzania to continue living out the prayer, justice and mission calling on their lives.  While balancing the roles of wife, mother,  and pastor / teacher / missionary, Lisa has found that singing in the shower and dancing in the kitchen keeps her sane.  To dialogue with Lisa and learn more from her, visit her blog.  Lisa and Byron have also set up a website to chronicle the stories of hope from Africa they are involved in.

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