When a Woman Prays 

When a woman prays

God listens and lives are saved

If my mother, Gloria, had not prayed for me

Teenage pain would have shrouded my certainties

And my hopes would have died in the fists of my enemies

When a woman prays

God sends angels of protection and mercy to work

If generations of Big Mamas had not prayed for change

There would be no integration in education

or an Obama Inauguration

When a woman prays

God opens doors and children are spared

If our sisters had not prayed while clutching church pearls

Birmingham would have lost more than 4 little girls

When a woman prays

God creates divine order and nations are changed

If our daughters had not prayed

In the South, we would have stayed

And a Great Migration would never have been made

When a woman prays

Leaders are created

lost jobs are reinstated

Treasures are found

And queens are crowned

Gaps are closed

prolific writings are composed

Children leave protected

And family traditions are respected

Lost teens come home clean

And going to college becomes routine

When a woman prays

The addict’s veins refuse the past

God is answering what every woman has ever asked...

“Dear God, comfort, lead and guide

Keep your angels at our mother’s side.

Help our husband’s minds to stay on you

Protect our sons in all they do.

Show our nation’s leaders the right choices to make

Our fathers and daughters, don’t ever forsake.”

God touched my heart as my eyes shut

And He answered me with clarity,

“You have to keep praying no matter what!”