Tommy's Prayer

Tommy’s Prayer

Tommy was my brother’s friend
Back when we were young
Daddy always treated Tommy
Like he was his son

Looking back I wondered
Why he hated to go home
When you’re growing up some things
Are better left unknown

Tommy told big stories
He had one for each bruise
He fell off a horse
Wrecked his bike a time or two

Then one night at suppertime
Before we filled our plates
Daddy looked at Tommy
And he asked him to say Grace

He said, “Lord, my name’s Tommy
Do you still remember me?
I have to ask a favor, Lord
Then I swear I’ll let you be
I know you’re busy running things
But this won’t take too long
Could you make my daddy love me?
Help me not to do things wrong

Suddenly the stories
And the bruises came to light
Tommy went with daddy
Just the two of them that night

Later daddy said
When Tommy came to live with us
“He needs a dad who loves him
God gave him one who does”

There are kids like Tommy everywhere
Who live a life that isn’t fair
What can we do to show we care?
They might be praying Tommy’s prayer

He said, “Lord, my name’s Tommy
Do you still remember me?
I have to ask a favor, Lord
Then I swear I’ll let you be
I know you’re busy running things
But this won’t take too long
Could you make my daddy love me?
Help me not to do things wrong