Prayer Poem by Larsson
| I want to be a spendthrift, Lord, | |
| A spendthrift of my time and strength | |
| Giving instead of withholding, | |
| Sowing instead of wanting to reap. | |
| Don’t let me be a miser, Master, | |
| Cuddling myself to myself, | |
| Careful of every effort, | |
| Counting each step, | |
| Hoarding my physical resources | |
| For the demands of a tomorrow that might never come. | |
| Make me a glad spendthrift, Lord: | |
| Joyously giving my love and care, | |
| Opening the sluice-gate of my small reserves, | |
| Pouring out what little I have to give | |
| Without measure or stint, | |
| Without anxious debate, | |
| And trusting You for tomorrow. | |
| Don’t let me shelter myself in a glass case, | |
| Fearful lest the light of day should fade me, | |
| Dreading that the hand of time should touch me, | |
| Shrinking from effort that might drain me, | |
| Saving myself up for what? | |
| To look nice in my coffin? | |
| Let me give what I have to give with open hands, | |
| Offering myself to You each day for service, | |
| Happy to be used as long as life shall last, | |
| Living for You as a glad spendthrift. | |
| For at the end, Lord | |
| You will not ask me what I have saved, | |
| But what I have given. | |
| To go forward with such a spirit is what I intend to do! | |
Written by Flora Larsson, a Swedish Salvation Army officer. Reprinted for "News About NICA" with permission. Flora Larsson: Just A Moment, Lord, Hodder & Stoughton, Ltd., London, 1973, p. 76.