When I was a child and it came the bedtime hour
I would kneel by my bed and say my nightly prayers
I would shut my eyes and ask for a lot of foolish things;
Like a new bicycle or a new wagon or a toy train
I prayed for new clothes; those that were in style
I prayed for good grades so my parents would smile
I prayed only for me and no one else I left it to
others to pray for themselves
The youthful things
I prayed for came to pass But I learned they were
things that did not last I look back now and see
that I was vain To pray only for me while others
were in pain
Now that I am older my prayers have
changed I no longer ask God for material things
I pray for strength to make it through the day I
pray for courage to keep my fears at bay
I pray
for people with lonely souls I pray for the hungry
and the cold I pray for little orphans without homes
I pray for those who are shut-in and all alone
I pray that tensions in the world will ease I
pray that we will find everlasting peace And each
night before I go to sleep I pray the Lord my soul
to keep