My eyes have grown tired
     as I work today.
I try to stay focused
     as I clean and pray.
The cleaning’s not hard,
     it just never ends.
Can the same thing be true
     as I pray for my friends?
As long as we live,
     there is cleaning to do.
Not just of a building,
     but of me and of you.

I stop at each desk
     as I go through the room.
I pray for each student
     as I push a broom.
The job takes me longer,
     when I stop to pray.
But I can’t imagine
     not doing it this way.
The results can’t be measured,
     they are hard to see.
But prayer makes a difference
     because it changes me.

Can I keep watch 
     for an hour or more?
Or do I give up,
     thinking this is a bore?
Would things be different
     if I took the time?
To pray for a person
     when I want to whine.
Perhaps it will change them,
     as God does His thing.
Or a new perspective,
     to me He will bring.

Prayer is effective,
     more than we know.
If we really believed it,
     I’m sure it would show.
To spend time with God,
     seeking His face.
Is what makes a difference
     as I work in this place.
If you want changes,
     in how you see your day.
Whatever you’re doing,
     include time to pray!

© 2014 by Tom Lemler

I’m going through the building getting it ready for Sunday with a combination of cleaning and praying. As I was doing both, and finding my eyes becoming heavy, this poem showed up in my mind.  I pray that it encourages you to pray in all circumstances and surroundings.

In prayer,
Tom