Dear Lord, let me partake in your redemption of lost sheep

by off’ring you my suffering and every tear I weep

Please take my pain, transform it into grace for souls in danger

who’ve yet to find forgiveness through the Child born in-a manger

I offer you this grief from ________’s death which my heart breaks

for all who grieve without the hope Christ offers for our sakes

I offer you this biting of my tongue when I’m insulted

for people who react to hate with words fierce lightning-bolted

This chilliness I offer up for all the cold of heart

who only care about themselves and from you keep apart

I offer this discomfort – Phew! – of weather sticky hot

for folks at risk of choosing hell where “worm” and “flame” die not (Mk 9:48)

I offer this annoyance Lord of waiting in this line

for folks that see annoyances as times to gripe and whine

I offer you this anger Lord as I seek to forgive

for all in “jails” of unforgiveness, choosing there to live

I offer you my hunger Lord for all with hunger true

who aren’t aware they hunger for the love that comes from you

I offer you my thirst, parched throat, this yearning for cold drink

for folks who aren’t aware that your deep thirst for them won’t shrink

I offer you this headache – Ouch! – and every wincing pain

for folks with heads chock-full of TV’s lies so dark and vain

I offer you this vertigo and nauseous dizzy spell

for all who totter dang’rously along the brink of hell

Please take the water of my pain, transform it into Wine

then give this wine to wayward souls in need of Grace divine

Remind me Lord to offer you my su-ffer-ings each day

my life “a living sacrifice” of love for You I pray. Amen!