Although we know

That simple words won’t chase away disease

Most of us will offer a, “God bless you”

If you sneeze

And though we’d rather run

From the array of germs you’re sharing

We’ll speak this brief connection

And display a little caring

And if we know you’re cramming

For that test to pass the bar

We’ll say, “We’re praying for you”

And most times we really are

In an age of selfish thinking

And full empathetic blindness

Who could take exception

To a word or two of kindness?

I hope you never suffer from

An attitude like theirs

But some have shown contempt for those

Who offer “thoughts and prayers”

Do they really think it’s better to

Resist and start a riot

Than the good that’s done by prayer

From those who show up and keep quiet

Let me just assure them

That we know our poor petitions

Have but little power

To affect the world’s conditions

We offer them in person

By a tweet, or on the phone

To let our fellow man

Know that, in this, they’re not alone

To signal some assurance

At a catastrophic hour

That we have a hand to help you

And there is a higher power

Although I know that some of you

May find it all dismaying

But as long as suns keep rising

We’re gonna keep on praying

And the thoughts and prayers we offer

Will assume their proper place

When thoughts turn into action

And prayers turn into Grace