We don’t usually pray, though. Bugging deities doesn’t sound like a wise idea when you stop and think about it.
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.”
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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
: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)
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
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.
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.
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)
If god is everywhere and knows everything, doesn’t it seem silly to pray?
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
You were supposed to DESTROY the Sith, not JOIN them!
From where I stand it’s the Jedi who are evil!
Just keep it to yourself.
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.
Om Shanti Om.
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?