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JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

0 posted 2008-01-06 02:56 PM

A Service Member's Prayer

Oh, God, I feel that I have cause
To know my life might give You pause,
But fair as You are sure to be,
I seek Your way on bended knee.
I wish to neither kill nor die,
Though from engagement I'll not shy.
For if my duty calls me there,
I'll do whatever I must dare.

I seek not courage for the fight.
I seek not comfort from the night.
I ask not pardon for my deeds,
Nor any salve for any needs.
I only ask to know what's right,
To do my best to check my might,
To render mercy where I should,
To know I serve the greater good.

Oh, God, if You will hear my plea,
I ask so very much of thee.
I fear not men, I fear not death,
Yet bow my head and still my breath
To ask You, please, to do Your best,
To keep me from eternal rest,
Until the hour my duty sends
Me home to family and friends.

And if You grant my humble prayer,
Oh, God, I ask You, keep from care
Those people whom I hold most dear.
I wish them not to shed a tear
In anguish over days now done,
Where my dawn was their setting sun.
For then, if You will grant my plea,
I'll soon be nearer them and Thee.

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

1 posted 2008-01-06 05:26 PM

A very well written and heartfelt prayer!
I think God whispers His answers within our heart.

love
Margherita

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

2 posted 2008-01-06 05:48 PM

Good job, JL. I enjoyed your thoughts from the heart.
Ida

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

3 posted 2008-01-06 06:25 PM

Enjoyed reading this prayer...James

EagleScorpion
Senior Member

since 2000-03-08

Posts 1644
Here, Now, Forever

4 posted 2008-01-06 06:45 PM

deeply moving...

you should show this to every soldier you know..

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

5 posted 2008-01-06 08:30 PM

A wonderful write, making the reader pause to to remember the hopes and dreams of soldiers.

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

6 posted 2008-01-06 11:28 PM

Hi, Margherita.

I feel that you are right. It seems to me that a quiet moment to listen to one's heart may often do more to soothe the soul than an entire day full of spoken prayer.

Love,
John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

7 posted 2008-01-06 11:32 PM

Thanks, Ida.

I always do try to write "from the heart," as you say, but it is nice to hear it from someone else, so that I feel, hopefully, that my idea is getting across.

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

8 posted 2008-01-06 11:34 PM

Thanks, James.

I'm glad that you enjoyed it...

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

9 posted 2008-01-06 11:38 PM

Hi, ES.

Actually, I did post this write on Military.com. My dad was in the Navy SeaBees for over 26 years, and I guess that I feel a natural affinity for all things military. So far, I have no responses on that website, but you guys have been great.

Thanks for your encouragement and support!

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

10 posted 2008-01-06 11:42 PM

Hi, Midnitesun.

Thanks for elaborating on my idea. Some people seem to forget that even the most bloodied service member--from any branch of the servive--is almost always a young man or woman who wants nothing more than to live in peace at home with family and friends.

Thanks again,
John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

11 posted 2008-01-11 08:18 AM

All blessings to you John. Thank you for finding the words, that beat within the hearts of all of us in tune with the sacrifices of our soldiers and protectors.

aziza
Member Elite

since 2006-07-09

Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!

12 posted 2008-01-13 06:34 PM

John

I think God hears all prayers - but, I think He will listen to this one above those that are more self-serving. That's just my thought.

Alison

Ceinwyn
Member Elite

since 2000-07-09

Posts 2175
VA

13 posted 2008-01-14 09:45 PM

My brother is in Iraq. He's coming home in March. I'm going to send this his way. Such a beautiful prayer. Thank you for sharing.

If at first you don't succeed destroy all the evidence that you tried.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

14 posted 2008-01-14 11:38 PM

John,

Gibran would have been proud to
read this poem.

Mere words cannot thank you enough
for your services to those that don't
know that you care so much for what you do.

Were you to know that this poet knows...
even that is not enough,
but I hope it matters.

Thank you.

" It matters not this distance now " Excerpt, Yesterday's Love
~*~
KRJ

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

15 posted 2008-01-14 11:42 PM

Hi, TD.

Thanks for your blessings. I took extra time with this poem to try to find just the right words. Comments such as yours help me to believe that I have found at least a few of the right words.

Thanks again,
John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

16 posted 2008-01-14 11:44 PM

Hi, Alison.

"I think God hears all prayers..." I hope that you are right. As for your thoughts, I feel that they are spot on.

Thanks for your kind words.

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

17 posted 2008-01-14 11:49 PM

Hi, Ceinwyn.

This poem was written especially for people such as you and your brother. I wish you all the best. Also, I will add the two of you to my prayer list. I feel that every extra prayer that is said can only be a good thing.

I will prayer your brother's safe return, and for your peace of mind.

God Bless you.

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

JLHunter
Senior Member

since 2006-10-08

Posts 557
CA United States

18 posted 2008-01-14 11:55 PM

Thanks, Sunshine.

I cannot believe that my small offering would rise to the level that it would receive admiration from Gibran, but it is quite nice of you to say so.

Unfortunately, mere words are all that most of us have, perhaps mixed with a small bit of talent, to allow others to feel what we do. I tried to make the prayer a real process about real people.

Thank you for such nice comments. I truly do appreciate such efforts.

John

I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. -Khalil Gibran

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