A DEAF CHILD'S PRAYER Do the angels sing in Heaven, Lord?
Will I hear music there?
Or must I stand in a corner
While others join in prayer?
While I wonder what they're saying Lord,
As oft I do down here?
Must I sit in lonely stillness
While the bells ring loud and clear?
Can I read your lips in Heaven,
Lord Will I be brushed aside,
And stick my hands in pockets
Because of wounded pride?
Will all the saints there praise thee,
While I in silence wait?
Will some one up in Heaven
Help me through the gate?
Then God, who loves the humble,
Whispered in the poor deaf ear
My child, has no one told you,
There is no silence here.
Hold out your hands, my little one,
For Heaven all to see.
We've heard them pray so many times,
Each prayer reached up to Me.
See, all the angels waiting.
The gates are open wide.
Your crown of life awaits you,
And I shall be your guide.
I have a song to give you,
You'll sing both loud and clear.
And the song you sing, my dear one,
Will be the sweetest song up here.
There is a physical barrier of misunderstanding or not being able to hear the word of God within the local churches. Deaf and hard of hearing people's needs are often forgotten when they minister to the community. Most people don't even know when they visit their church because it is not a noticeable disability til one uses sign language or asks for some kind of communication assistance to help them hear. They do not stay in the service because there is no access to know God and participate in spiritual fellowship.
Deaf Bible Studies are lacking within their Hearing Interpreted Christian Congregations. Many hearing churches do not have Sunday School Classes for the Deaf and our Bible Studies feed those who want to mature in God's Word regardless of and in support of their local church membership. In other words, everyone is welcome to attend.
Technology is expensive, there is a shortage of ASL Interpreters available, workers need long-term training to interpret fluently. Teachers need skills to bring the written English language based on sound into a visual language understood by the eyes of the Deaf Community. Our Bible, written in Hebrew and Greek, translated in Old English and then set into so many versions. Almost 60% of the pre-lingual Deaf population is illiterate and need assistance to understand the written Word of God.
Many wonder if it's worth the hard work and expense for one Deaf or Hard of Hearing to attend their church. Is it possible that they can truly minister to them? Yes, if your heart is in it, you are dedicated to patiently learn, immerse into their world, to become Deaf that they may hear, to truly love and not give up!
The laborers are few because the sacrifice is great. Pray the Lord of the Harvest that he may send more laborers into this field. God asks who will be ears to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing? Will you be ears to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing?
Although we are an denominational church, we are united to help our local brothers and sisters in Christ become Champions for God! Champions in their work and ministry to Him!
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