Nathan’s successful heart surgery to address Scimitar Syndrome was performed three years ago today. I wrote this simple child’s prayer for him in the days before his surgery. I can still hear his little voice, mispronunciations and all, reciting this prayer:
Nathan’s Prayer
My son, Nathan Blakeney, has Scimitar Syndrome. His surgery, performed three years ago, was successful.
I love you, Lord.
Create in me
A heart that beats
A song for Thee.
Tho’ life is sweet
And love is mine,
I know my soul
Is wholly Thine.
If I may play
In grass and sand,
There will be time
To hold Your Hand.
So, Jesus, please
Create in me
A heart that beats
A song for Thee.
At the time I wrote this, I saw it strictly as a prayer for a child having surgery, especially heart surgery. I’ve since concluded that I needed the prayer, too. My heart is not always in the right place, so it does me good from time to time to whisper that last stanza.
Tags: child's prayer, heart surgery, Nathan, Nathan's Prayer, prayer for a child having surgery, Scimitar Syndrome
July 29th, 2009 at 9:59 am
A beautiful prayer, a beautiful child.
And yes, that last stanza should be the prayer of many hearts, mine included. I have to love watching Jesus work in my own life and in the lives of those I know and love.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Thank you, Martha.
Healthy hearts, broken hearts, lonely hearts–we all need the guiding hand of the Great Physician.