On Prayer

ON PRAYER – What is it good for? ~ by The Wise Prophet, Gary Bahr and Others

I really believe prayer is good psychology for many. Whether you believe or not, when you give up your problems to your God or say or think them out loud or to yourself or to the wind, you will feel better.

Your own prayer at bedtime may even help you sleep by giving up your problems.

Here are two prayers I love for their ideas and good psychology.

THE AMERICAN PRAYER by Gary Bahr

Let us all work harder for a United States we can all be proud of:

▪   Where war is a last resort and not a goal to secure oil fields of other nations.

▪   Where protecting life means valuing all life including the unborn child; our young American soldiers; innocent men, women and children in Iraq and other war victims; or those sentenced to death by imperfect legal systems – instead of just a limited political ideology meant to secure votes.

▪   Where political leaders do not use falsehoods to fool the American people or our congress-people.

▪   Where congressmen and congresswomen are intelligent enough to analyze intelligent reports.

▪   Where the blessings of peace, love and understanding are valued more than name-calling, hate and anger, threats, sanctions and moratoriums.

▪   Where our government responds quickly and massively to the needs of all people caught in war and natural disasters regardless of their political, religious or racial demography of the country, state or area.

▪   Where our respect for all people and all nations exceeds our demand for respect.

▪   Where godliness means loving each other – including Muslims, gays, immigrants and enemies real or imagined.

▪   Where worship is done in secret and rewarded in secret – instead of displayed in political meetings for votes.

▪   Where the wisdom of our forefathers separating church and state is respected so we can all forever worship in freedom.

▪   Where equality is for all including straights, gays, lesbians, Black, Mexican, Jewish, Catholic or other.

▪   Where every child is provided an equal education opportunity.

▪   Where health care is a right of all Americans as it is for all Iraqi citizens,  prisoners, our legislators, state and county employees, seniors and veterans.

▪   Where legislation benefits all the people instead of just a few.

▪   Where taxes tax all and exemptions benefit all equitably.

▪   Where votes are counted in all states, and if necessary re-counted, with proof in the form of a receipt or paper ballot.

▪   Where no government, party or person can do anything to discourage another from voting.

▪   Where pensions and social security are secure and not made pray for wealthy stockbrokers and big corporations.

▪   Where all votes are equally as important as those of a $100,000 contributor to a political party or politician.

▪   Where deficit spending is forbidden unless in times of war declared by congress.

▪   Where incumbent politicians are voted out in the next election if they did not fulfill their promises or expectations during their term.

▪   Where our young people are sent to college and not to Iraq…

▪   Where the political and religious ideologies of all are respected and discussed and learned and understood – but not forced on anyone.

▪   Where money is removed from politics and Supreme Court Justices reverse Citizens United allowing corporations and unions to donate all the money they can to advance their interests.

▪   And, where our country leads all countries in encouraging all nations to live together in peace and harmony on Earth.

 

THE PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS

The prayer was written by Saint Francis. It is good wisdom. This is a great way to think! And the best prayer I have ever seen. So if you are inclined to pray, use this prayer:

 Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

See The Wise Prophet et al at Gary Bahr