Prayer for the Homeless

"Evening Prayer Sign at St. Mark's Church" photo by Pheralyn Dove

Please spare some loose change

or some leftover food to

help someone today.

The huddled figure steps out of the shadows and almost collides into you, strategically jockeying way too close to your personal space. 

“I’m hungry. Spare a dollar so I can buy something to eat?”

You hold your breath in as you quickly decide whether to dodge or indulge the abrupt request.

Their lives take them to the Center of the City. Their hope is one more day. “Hopefully” is the thought that dominates their minds. Hopefully enough strangers, passersby, will have enough grace, enough mercy of spirit, to fill their cups with a few coins. Men. Women. Children. All ages. All races. All down on their luck. All turned out on these unforgiving streets. Each and every one of them at the mercy of total strangers for their very survival.

Their pride is behind the knot in their throat. They ignore the scorn. (Or at least as much as possible.) They beg. One person at a time. They shuffle along. On to the next hopeful. Most of us won’t even make eye contact. Not even those of us who give. Think about this when you are accosted. What will you do the next time you are approached? Can you spare a dime? A quarter? A dollar? A knowing glance? A smile?  Will you have mercy? Will you give someone grace for another day? Or if you don’t live in a community where you come in contact with the homeless, will you consider giving to a charity that helps them? Please let me know your thoughts.

Asante Sana. Peace and Blessings Always.