I was but a youth and thoughtless,
As all youths are apt to be;
Though I had a Christian mother
Who had taught me carefully.

There came a time when pleasure
Of the world came to allure,
And I no more sought the guidance
Of her love so good and pure.

Her tender admonitions fell
But lightly on my ear,
And for the gentle warnings
I felt an inward sneer.

But Mother would not yield her boy
To Satan's sinful sway,
And though I spurned her counsel
She knew a better way.

She made my room an altar,
A place of secret prayer,
And there she took her burden
And left it in His care.

And morning, noon and evening
By that humble bedside low,
She sought the aid of Him who
Understands a mother's woe.

And I went my way unheeding,
Careless of the life I led,
Until one day I noticed
Prints of elbows on my bed.

Then I saw that she had been there
Praying for her wayward boy,
Who for love of worldly pleasure
Would her peace of mind destroy.

Long the conflict raged within me,
Sin against my Mother's prayers,
Sin must yield - for Mother never
While she daily met Him there.

And her constant love and patience
Were like coals upon my head,
Together with the imprints
Of her elbows on my bed.

And so at last the fight was won,
And I to Christ was led,
And Mother's prayers were answered
By her elbows on my bed.

-- Author Unknown

Prayer Request: I dedicate this poem to a wonderful mother and good friend Denise. Denise has 5 wonderful children, and right now her first born child, a girl 17, needs our prayers. Please pray for Denise’s daughter (no name given but God knows who she is) to come back to God and her loving family. Pray for a sound mind for this teen, and that God will bring someone into her life that will be able to help her. She is out of the home, in the world system and she is not listening to anyone right now. Denise is hurting very badly, and its because she loves her daughter so very much. Prayer for Denise, and the other family members as well.

Thank you. AG

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