I’m sixty-six years old . . . and the words of this song that I first heard over forty years ago when I was a young newly married man are still my prayer today.

The lyric was written by another young married man and father of three small children with another on the way who was not much older than I was then, and yet was also feeling this need that would define his short life and my now long one.

As each day passes by,
I feel my love run dry.
I get so weary, worn,
And tossed around in the storm.
Well I'm blind to others' needs,
And I'm tired of planting seeds.
I seem to have a wealth,
Of so many thoughts about myself.

I want to, I need to, be more like Jesus.
I want to, I need to, be more like him.

Our Father's will was done,
By giving us His Son,
Who paid the highest cost,
To point us to the Cross.
And when I think of Him,
Taking on the whole world's sin,
I take one look at me,
Compared to what I'm called to be.

I want to, I need to, be more like Jesus.
I want to, I need to, be more like him.

Remember, there's no greater love,
Then to lay down your life for a friend.

The end of all my prayers,
Is to care like my Lord cares.
My one and only goal,
His Image in my soul.
Yes my weakness is revealed,
When by His Stripes I'm healed.
He's Faithful and He's True,
To complete the Work He begins in you.