If I were to lead prayer in an African church

Possibly, I will do it on a holy convocation

The chance though strictly for bishops

I would seek such a privilege

After the praise party’s last song

When all are ready for prayer

With reverence, I would mount on the platform

Giving thanks for such a moment

Wisely, I would use the permittance

Leading a prayer

Humbly calling devotees to partake

Calling them to a divine communion

An exercise to entreat

Doing it fervently without a retreat

Plead for mercy and ask for grace

From our Maker

That he may take away the disgrace

I would ask the believers

First to ponder and deliberate

Before they shout, scream and well cheeks with tears

Lest they unintelligibly groan, whine and mumble

Bellowing statements and words in ambiguity

My urging will be for faith and knowledge to guide

Being led by understanding and wisdom

That being the base and foundation

Where our prayers are established from

Admonishing the saints to know the addressee

Succinctly knowing our subject and the directed object

Encouraging the need to be sincere

Calling for confidence that we are being heard

Making it known and clear

It is more than bended knees, outstretched arms

Clapping of hands and stamping of feet on the ground

Tears, whimpering and shouts

Spiritual is the exercise dramatized in a physical act

It is a bridge between the divine and natural

A visit to the supernatural while in the flesh

Above it is a communion, communication

A dialogue where you ask

If you can only listen, you will hear a response

You speak to him

Surely and timely, he will speak back

Giving you directions, comfort, peace, joy and provision

I would submit that we for a while pause and ponder

How many demons we have bound

Yet our captives seem subtle

For they are ever escaping on our watch

How many people have we loosed?

Yet the captors always chain them again quickly

In turn, it discourages the workers

Yet our battles with demons

Rage on and are protractive

Unending they seem and the victory

Seems and looks not anywhere nearby

How may witches we have lit

Shouting Holy Ghost fire

How many miraculous provisions have asked and seen

How much we have asked God for in the amount

Yet we have few answers to such prayers

I would engender that we self-introspect

If it’s God who isn’t answering

Rather is it not us following his message

Taking it just as he gave it to us