With heart so young and gay.
Please make me see the world
anew—
So fresh and bright each day.
Restore the excitement of new-found joys;
Help me to explore your land,
And see with youthful wonder and awe
The beauty that you have planned.
May I see things as a little child
With wonder, joy, and a smile.
Help me to feel the warmth of the sun
And gaze at the clouds awhile.
Help me to really see the trees
With squirrels scampering ‘round.
Help me to smell the fragrant flowers
And hear each natural sound.
Help me to rise with the morning bird
With expectation filled.
Then may I lay my head to sleep
With heart at peace and stilled.
Whenever a trouble or trial may come,
Give me a trust in You—
A Father who cares so very much,
A God so loving and true.
Please help me ever to be content
Without sophisticated fare.
Help me to see that life consists
Of simple things and prayer.
Dear Father, give me a soul so clean,
Without the knowledge of sin.
Please help me to renew my mind,
And make it pure within.
Protect me from all evil ways,
With mind and heart so pure,
With curiosity controlled,
Away from the world’s
allure.
Please take away the hate and deceit,
The bitterness and strife.
Replace it with kindness, love,
and peace—
Partaking of Your life.
Give me a simple faith in You,
And give me humility.
Make me forgiving, without
a grudge—
Give me serenity.
Please make me a child again, dear Lord,
And all Your words I’ll
heed.
Give me a sweet simplicity
In thought, and word, and deed.
Help me to believe Your every word;
Work your way throughout.
Yes, make me a little child again
Without a room for doubt.
I know that Your kingdom will belong
To childlike people here
Who come to you with yielded wills
And hearts true and sincere.
The cares of age come pressing on
But why be burdened down?
Make me a child again, dear Lord;
Erase the fearful frown.
So Father, help me to smile at life,
As a child smiles each day.
Give me a childlike heart of love
To follow in Your way.
Richard Hollerman
