When I despair,
I remember that all through history
the ways of truth and love have always won.
There have been tyrants, and murderers,
and for a time they can seem invincible,
but in the end they always fall.
Think of it - always.
mahatma gandhi - early 20th century
http://www.worldprayers.org/
http://www.worldprayers.org/
I chose this simple reflection prayer, written by one of the greatest minds and forces for peace in all of history, because I think it provides a good foil for the Gaelic prayer I posted earlier. In this piece, you have the same seemingly indomitable foes that are referenced in the other ones, but instead of armor, swords, and high towers, here your defense is positive thought, and knoweldge of your own ability to choose what is right, and stand by it.
These two prayers have something else in common. The first speaks of a vision that is sought by the penitent writer. This second prayer illustrates this vision, in its best form. Gandhi says in simple words and language what the seeker should be envisioning, in despair and in battle. I also appreciate Gandhi's choice of verbs; note that for himself, he chooses verbs of reflection: despair, remember, think, but for the greater concepts of truth and love he chooses won, and for tyrants and murderers he chooses fall, both of which have a larger-than-life sort of flavor to them. Gandhi's was a cause against incredible odds, and with incredible methods -- passive resistance. Perhaps it is knowing this about him that makes this prayer so powerful in its brevity and simplicity.
He ends with the one word all people who pray want associated with prayers answered: always.
These two prayers have something else in common. The first speaks of a vision that is sought by the penitent writer. This second prayer illustrates this vision, in its best form. Gandhi says in simple words and language what the seeker should be envisioning, in despair and in battle. I also appreciate Gandhi's choice of verbs; note that for himself, he chooses verbs of reflection: despair, remember, think, but for the greater concepts of truth and love he chooses won, and for tyrants and murderers he chooses fall, both of which have a larger-than-life sort of flavor to them. Gandhi's was a cause against incredible odds, and with incredible methods -- passive resistance. Perhaps it is knowing this about him that makes this prayer so powerful in its brevity and simplicity.
He ends with the one word all people who pray want associated with prayers answered: always.
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