(… the spirits in prison)
long ago
disobeyed
when ‘the patience of God’ waited
in the days of Noah
as the ark was being built
in which a few,
this is eight souls
were brought safely by water,
which corresponds to baptism
which now saves you
– not the removal of dirt from (of?) (the) flesh
but a pledge to God of a good conscience
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who is on the right hand of God,
having gone into heaven
the angels and authorities and powers
having been subjected to him.
God, give me grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.