For as long as I can remember, my parents have had a small plaque on one of the dressers in their bedroom reading what is commonly known as ‘A Farmer’s Prayer.’ I used to read it just about each time I was in my parents room when I was a child; the only bathroom on the upper level in my parents home happens to be in their bedroom, for anyone slightly curious as to why one might spend some time, if any, in their parents bedroom.
My mom received the plaque from a friend many years ago, and part of the reason I was drawn to it as a child, I think, is because of its rhyme scheme. It is quite catchy and easy to remember, and it reads as follows, composed by Robin Fogle:
“Lord, bless the land you’ve given me,
and may I always know
As I tend each crop and creature
You’re the One who helps them grow.
Grant me the strength and wisdom
Please protect me from harm.
And thank You
For your Gracious gift –
The blessing of a farm.“
I absolutely love this prayer, and Blaine and I have a sign that reads it hanging on a wall in our home.
Thinking upon this prayer by Robin Fogle encouraged me to consider to look up some other prayers dedicated to farming and farmers, and the following prayers come from prayforeverything.com.
“Father, You are the great Creator that we all rely upon, whether we acknowledge it or not. You have set all these marvelous things into motion at Creation. As caretakers of the land, we ask that Your blessing be on the families who provide food for our nation and those who provide for the farmers. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”
“You are a loving God. Watch over the farmers on our land who put themselves in harm’s way to make a living for themselves and their families and provide the food resources for the rest of us. Please give them the alertness they need when dealing with unyielding animals, cantankerous machinery, and unsafe weather conditions. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”
If you ate today, thank God, and thank a farmer.
Photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash
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