Thursday September 18, 2003

The best prayer I've read in a long time

Lately, especially since the Septmeber 11th attacks two years ago, I've heard a lot more prayer than I ever have before. It's a good thing, sort of. Getting in touch with God is the most important thing a person can do. Honestly, though, some of the prayers being offered have been discouraging, at least to me. I've heard enough of God, pour out your blessing on America, and let's demolish all those evil Arabs kind of stuff. America is god nowadays. But as widespread as the patriotic prayers have become, I've also found prayers such as these:

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together. Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

What can I follow that up with?