Abba Father,

Once again we humble ourselves
before thy throne of mercy.

Let thy name be exalted above the heavens,
be hallowed among all the earth.

May thy grace be shown morn after morn;
Rest thy favor upon those who revere thee.

For a little boy nicknamed Xiao Niu-Niu (calf),
whom we have not met, we bring our plea.

He’s undergoing a heart surgery
on this day in Washington DC.

O Lord, grant him the assurance
that he will live to tell the story.

Grant him tranquility,
wheeled into the ward as he is.

Grant him strength
to counter the feared needle stings.

Grant him a daytime rest of peace
under anesthetic's whispering.

Grant him grinning delight
free from bouts of groaning pain.

Grant him the playmates unseen,
guardian angels dispatched from thy legion.

Grant him sweet dreams
brimming with Peter Pan’s happy inkling.

Grant him the wings of eagle
to teleport his spirit above bustling earthlings.

Grant him the unearthly experience
of counting his heart beat while seeing.

Grant him an assembly of doctors and nurses
proficient in the art of heart remodeling.

Grant him a flawless operation this day
to fix his flawed chamber and vein.

Grant him a speedy recovery
so he will abound in joy and skipping.

O Lord, grant his parents faith
that stamps their trust in thee only.

Grant his parents hope
that beams more brightly in the darkest valley.

Grant his parents love
that softens even the most hardened clay.

O Lord, help the rainbow warriors
during the dutiful watches of prayers.

Bless all concerned strangers
for thoughts and goodwill the world over.

O Lord, grant Xiao Niu-Niu this victory
for thy holy name’s sake.

In the name of Jesus Christ, thy son, our savior,
Amen and Amen, we pray.

(3/19/2004)