Help Us To See and Understand

HELP US TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND
by HELEN STEINER RICE



GOD, GIVE US WIDER VISION
TO SEE AND UNDERSTAND
THAT BOTH "THE SUN AND SHOWERS"
ARE GIFTS FROM THY GREAT HAND,
AND WHEN OUR LIVES ARE OVERCAST
WITH TROUBLE AND WITH CARE,
GIVE US FAITH TO SEE BEYOND
THE DARK CLOUDS OF DESPAIR,
AND GIVE US STRENGTH TO RISE
ABOVE THE MIST OF DOUBT AND FEAR
AND RECOGNIZE THE HIDDEN SMILE
BEHIND EACH BURNING TEAR,
AND TEACH US THAT IT TAKES THE
SHOWERS TO MAKE THE FLOWERS GROW
AND ONLY IN THE STORMS OF LIFE
WHEN THE WINDS OF TROUBLE BLOW
CAN MAN, TOO, REACH MATURITY
AND GROW IN FAITH AND GRACE
AND GAIN THE STRENGTH AND
COURAGE TO ENABLE HIM TO FACE
SUNNY DAYS AS WELL AS RAIN,
HIGH PEAKS AS WELL AS LOW,
KNOWING THAT THE "APRIL SHOWERS
WILL MAKE THE MAY FLOWERS GROW"-
AND THEN AT LAST MAY WE ACCEPT
"THE SUNSHINE AND THE SHOWERS,"
CONFIDENT IT TAKES THEM BOTH
TO MAKE SALVATION OURS!









MY HEART IS STEADFAST, O GOD,
MY HEART IS STEADFAST; I WILL SING,
YES, I WILL SING PRAISES!



PSALM 57:7
NAS



SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG,
BECAUSE HE HAS DONE MIRACLES.

BY HIS RIGHT HAND AND HOLY ARM
HE HAS WON THE VICTORY.




PSALM 98:1
NCV



SHOW ME YOUR UNFAILING LOVE IN
WONDERFUL WAYS.
YOU SAVE WITH
YOUR STRENGTH THOSE WHO SEEK
REFUGE FROM THEIR ENEMIES.




PSALM 17:7
NLT



YOUR FAITHFULNESS CONTINUES
THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS;
YOU ESTABLISHED THE EARTH,
AND IT ENDURES.




PSALMS 119:90
NIV



I CRY OUT TO GOD MOST HIGH,
TO THE GOD WHO DOES EVERYTHING FOR ME.

HE SENDS HELP FROM HEAVEN
AND SAVES ME.

HE PUNISHES THOSE WHO CHASE ME.

GOD SENDS ME HIS LOVE AND TRUTH.




PSALM 57:2-3
NCV



THE RIGHTEOUS CRY AND THE LORD HEARS,
AND DELIVERS THEM OUT OF ALL THEIR TROUBLES.

THE LORD IS NEAR BROKENHEARTED,
AND SAVES THOSE WHO ARE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT.




PSALM 34:17-18
NAS



GREAT TRIUMPHS HE GIVES TO HIS KING,
AND SHOWS STEADFAST LOVE TO HIS ANOINTED,
TO DAVID AND HIS DESCENDANTS FOREVER.




PSALM 18:50
NRSV