# Prayers Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 7, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976 "2010-02-07T01:00:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/41 "2010-02-07T16:43:33Z")
> [@](#): > > BEFORE THE GODDESS ERIS, I (name or holyname), do herewith declare myself a POEE BROTHER of THE LEGION OF DYNAMIC DISCORD. HAIL HAIL HAIL HAIL HAIL ERIS ERIS ERIS ERIS ERIS ALL HAIL DISCORDIA! We don’t usually pray, though. Bugging deities doesn’t sound like a wise idea when you stop and think about it. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/42 "2010-02-07T16:55:29Z")
When I wake up in the morning full of dread and anxiety over dire issues past, present, and future, I intone to whatever diety may be up there: “Lord, lift this veil of depression and anxiety from me, that I may be the best wife, daughter, and mother I can be; keep my friends and family safe, healthy, and happy; please just let me get through the coming day without losing it. Amen.” ---
**Author:** ![KRC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@KRC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KRC)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/43 "2010-02-07T17:57:31Z")
Because of bad weather, I think I’ll use the old prayer for an Egyptian deity: Glory to the sun god He’s a really fun god Ra Ra Ra! ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/44 "2010-02-07T23:49:50Z")
Every morning I tell myself, “Try to be a little better today, try to remember to have a kind heart”. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/45 "2010-02-08T00:51:03Z")
Just as the soft rain fills the streams, pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans, so may the power of every moment of your goodness flow forth to awaken and heal all beings. Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come. By the power of every moment of your goodness May your heart’s wishes soon be fulfilled as completely shining as bright full moon, as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem. By the power of every moment of your goodness May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone. May no obstacle come across your way. May you enjoy fulfillment and long life. For all in whose heart dwells respect, who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way, May your life prosper in the four blessings of old age, beauty, happiness and strength. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/46 "2010-02-08T04:09:59Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Define “sincere”. > > Define “prayer”. > > Define “deity”. > > And define “communicate”. > Yes, this will end well… Next, I’ll be expecting somebody to ask what the definition of “is” is. Is using a dictionary beyond your abilities? Or do you just enjoy acting shitty to someone you don’t like? ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/47 "2010-02-08T05:12:49Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > For twelve years, you have been asking: Who is John Galt? This is John Galt speaking… I am the man who will now tell you. I went to an Objectivist school. The students divided themselves into Randians, Randites and another category where you accepted Ayn Rand’s texts without caring for her personality (Randists?). Can you imagine hundreds of college students who have Holy Writ behind them telling them it’s okay to be arrogant and entitled? “The Virtue of Selfishness” indeed. And I just KNEW it was a religion to them! Now I have proof. ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/48 "2010-02-08T05:17:55Z")
:looks up: "Hey. How’s it going? Good, I hope. Look, I know we haven’t talked in a while, but I just wanted to say…thanks. And I do believe…sometimes. Like, I know, deep down, even if I don’t. Erm…'k. Bye." (And yes, I am being entirely serious) ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/49 "2010-02-08T05:33:29Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > ETA: The Jedi Code: > There is no emotion, there is peace. > There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. > There is no passion, there is serenity. > There is no death, there is the Force. The Sith Code: ``` Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion I gain strength. Through strength I gain power. Through power I gain victory. Through victory my chains are broken ``` And as far as fictional prayers go: “Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, and why we died. All that matters is that today, two stood against many. Valor pleases you, so grant me this one request. Grant me _ **revenge** _! And if you do not listen, the hell with you!” - Conan The Barbarian ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/50 "2010-02-08T05:59:29Z")
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; when there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. 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. I’m not terribly religious and it’s not really a prayer but I’ve heard that the word namaste can be translated as “The Light within me recognizes and appreciates the Light within you.” Even if that’s not what it means, I like the idea a lot. When I must spend time with someone I dislike, I think to myself namaste and it makes the time more bearable. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/51 "2010-02-08T06:05:13Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > “Good God good meat; good God let’s eat!” Those are more graces ----- which seemed a whole lot like prayers to me but Sister had a whole different opinion back when I was in third grade. My BIL came up with my favorite grace back when he was little and I still like using it now and then “Bless us O Lord and these thy leftovers which we are about to receive through thy microwave with Tupperware and Saran-Wrap Amen” I’m trying to remember the one prayer we used in ROTC and maybe someone can help me out (I failed at Google) Our Father, who dwelleth in Washington, surrounded by all manner of red tape, hallowed be thy M-14 rifle. Give us this day, our meager pay, ------------ and the rest totally escapes me. ---
**Author:** ![Pixiesnix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Pixiesnix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixiesnix)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2010, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/52 "2010-02-08T06:18:21Z")
Thank you, Lord, for this meal. We know you are the giver. But Lord, thank you most of all, that we ain’t having liver. (apologies to Lewis Grizzard) ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/53 "2010-02-10T16:54:12Z")
> [@Curtis LeMay](#): > > I mean when the person who’s praying believes he’s trying to communicate with his deity. If god is everywhere and knows everything, doesn’t it seem silly to pray? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/54 "2010-02-10T17:17:24Z")
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:16-21 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/55 "2010-02-10T18:25:21Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > The Sith Code: > > ``` > Peace is a lie, there is only passion. > Through passion I gain strength. > Through strength I gain power. > Through power I gain victory. > Through victory my chains are broken > > ``` You were supposed to DESTROY the Sith, not JOIN them! ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/56 "2010-02-11T02:04:49Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > You were supposed to DESTROY the Sith, not JOIN them! From where _I_ stand it’s the _Jedi_ who are evil! ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/57 "2010-02-11T02:15:37Z")
> [@Rand\_Rover](#): > > Here’s the beginning of a prayer in the opposite of the usual direction: > > For twelve years, you have been asking: Who is John Galt? This is John Galt speaking. I am the man who loves his life. I am the man who does not sacrifice his love or his values. I am the man who has deprived you of victims and thus has destroyed your world, and if you wish to know why you are perishing-you who dread knowledge-I am the man who will now tell you. Just keep it to yourself. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/58 "2010-02-11T05:04:12Z")
I had to find the words/translation online, but here’s one I 've grown up with and don’t mind sharing: _Arjun’s Prayer_ \* Twameva Mata Cha Pita Twameva, Twameva Bandhuscha Sakhaa Twameva. Twameva Vidyaa, Dhravinam Twameva, Twameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva Om Shantihi Shantihi Shanti \* A weak translation of Sorts: O Lord, You are my mother and father. You are my relative and friend. You are my ‘knowledge’ (wisdom) and “wealth” (strength/valor/power) You are my all - My God of Gods. Let there be peace, peace, everywhere peace. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/59 "2010-02-11T18:22:00Z")
Om Shanti Om. ---
**Author:** ![Rack-a-Bones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rack-a-Bones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rack-a-Bones)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976/60 "2010-02-11T22:48:38Z")
I don’t think **Curtis** should be surprised at the responses he is receiving, but in an effort to go with the spirit of his post I shall add: _This is the day the Lord hath made, let us be glad and rejoice in it._ Would the “God grant me the serenity …” be a mantra or a prayer? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayers-thread/527976.md?page=4)