Beyond Our Asking

BEYOND OUR ASKING

by HELEN STEINER RICE



MORE THAN HEARTS CAN IMAGINE
OR MINDS COMPREHEND,
GOD'S BOUNTIFUL GIFTS
ARE OURS WITHOUT END.
WE ASK FOR A CUPFUL
WHEN THE VAST SEA IS OURS,
WE PICK A SMALL ROSEBUD
FROM A GARDEN OF FLOWERS,
WE REACH FOR A SUNBEAM,
BUT THE SUN STILL ABIDES,
WE DRAW ONE SHORT BREATH,
BUT THERE'S AIR ON ALL SIDES,
WHATEVER WE ASK FOR
FALLS SHORT OF GOD'S GIVING
FOR HIS GREATNESS EXCEEDS
EVERY FACET OF LIVING,
AND ALWAYS GODS READY
AND EAGER AND WILLING
TO POUR OUT HIS MERCY
COMPLETELY FULFILLING
ALL MAN'S NEEDS
FOR PEACE, JOY, AND REST
FOR GOD GIVES HIS CHILDREN
WHATEVER IS BEST.
JUST GIVE HIM A CHANCE
TO OPEN HIS TREASURES
AND HE'LL FILL YOUR LIFE
WITH UNFATHOMABLE PLEASURES,
PLEASURES THAT NEVER
GROW WORN-OUT AND FADED
AND LEAVE US DEPLETED,
DISILLUSIONED, AND JADED,
FOR GOD HAS A STOREHOUSE
JUST FILLED TO THE BRIM
WITH ALL THAT MAN NEEDS
IF WE'LL ONLY ASK HIM.







I WAITED PATIENTLY FOR THE LORD;
HE INCLINED TO ME AND HEARD MY CRY.



PSALM 40:1
NRSV



SHOW ME YOUR WAYS, O LORD,
TEACH ME YOUR PATHS;
GUIDE ME IN YOUR TRUTH AND TEACH ME,
FOR YOU ARE GOD MY SAVIOR,
AND MY HOPE IS IN YOU ALL DAY LONG.



PSALM 25:4
NIV



LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD,
FOR HIS NAME ALONE IS EXALTED;
HIS GLORY IS ABOVE EARTH AND HEAVEN.



PSALM 148:13
NRSV



I PRAY THAT THE LORD WILL LET YOUR FAMILY
AND YOUR DESCENDANTS ALWAYS GROW STRONG.
MAY THE LORD WHO CREATED THE HEAVENS AND
THE EARTH GIVE YOU HIS BLESSING.



PSALM 115:14-15
CEV



I WILL SING OF THE TENDER MERCIES OF
THE LORD FOREVER! YOUNG AND OLD WILL
HEAR OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
YOUR UNFAILING LOVE WILL LAST FOREVER.
YOUR FAITHFULNESS IS AS ENDURING
AS THE HEAVENS.



PSALM 89:1-2
NLT