FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ AN ODD WAY TO PRAY ~ SEP 03 2006

AN ODD WAY TO PRAY

Over the years I have heard a multitude of spoken prayers. Some flowed poetically from the speaker's tongue, some had the overtones of a sermon, and others resembled conversation. I have also heard another type of prayer, though never in a church or chapel. Its usage is universal in the English language, even being used on occasion by atheists. The prayer is most often spoken during times of anger, frustration, or used to display extreme displeasure with a given situation or individual. The vast majority of the English-speaking population would not recognize it as a form of prayer, but rather view it as a form of swearing. Some would regard the invocation as "taking God's name in vain." Both are true and credible; however, at the core of the expression is a request by the petitioner for God to damn something, someone or some place. Several years ago, while stationed on Okinawa, I joined my battalion for a "best ball" golf tournament. My foursome was composed of individuals I had played with often, so I was somewhat aware of how our day might develop. One individual, who usually played an outstanding round of golf, was having a horrendous day on the course. Nothing was going right. His whole game was off, and he knew it, and continuously reminded the rest of us about it. On our seventh hole of play, and after overshooting the green, he threw his club as far as he could hurl it and exclaimed for the umpteenth time: "God !#%! It!" I walked over to my friend and said, "You know God is just answering your prayer." He looked at me somewhat puzzled, and as if I were insane. I reminded him that since our first hole of play he asked God to damn his club, damn his ball, damn the green, and even damn his shoes. So why be upset? God was simply answering his prayer. When I concluded, he looked at me and said, "Chaplain, I like that and you're right. It hurts, but you're right." For the rest of the day, neither the others nor I heard another request for God to damn anything. (Though he did bite his lip an awful lot.) As I mentioned earlier, most individuals recognize this prayer more in line with the idea of swearing. However, I think there is a valid case to recognize it as a prayer. That being so, it is bewildering why people would pray it. Could it be that they are not aware of what they are saying or of its significance? Or do they really want God to damn the one they love,
their friends, work associates, or acquaintances?

As with my friend, the idea of the invocation being a prayer never occurred to him, nor does it to most. Little do we realize the spiritual dynamic that is set in motion when we invoke God with our request. It is to our advantage that God is all-knowing and understanding, and sorts through our trivialization of prayer, and does not do all that we request of Him. It would be well for each of us to remember the words of Jesus:
"You do not know for what you ask."

LCDR Diane M. Wilson, CHC, USN

Howdy, TX! How in the world are you? (((hugs)))

101 posted on 09/03/2006 1:04:53 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; acad1228; AirForceMom; Colonel_Flagg; ...

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Cathedral Quartet~He Cared That Much for Me

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102 posted on 09/03/2006 1:07:31 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Kathy in Alaska; mylife; NYTexan; StarCMC; TASMANIANRED; laurenmarlowe; ..

Thank you for posting Chapel, Mr.Tonkin...
A peaceful and Blessed Sunday to my Canteen family and our Troops.
Hugs alla round...
Ms.B

103 posted on 09/03/2006 1:07:43 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

To: LUV W; MS.BEHAVIN

Howdy Luv,Howdy Ms B ;)

104 posted on 09/03/2006 1:10:46 PM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

MS.BEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

(((((((((hugs)))))))))

How be ya this blessed Sunday afternoon?

I haven't had my nap yet!

105 posted on 09/03/2006 1:10:56 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

Howdy, MY! How are you this wonderful COOL Sunday afternoon? Isn't this weather a real blessing?

106 posted on 09/03/2006 1:11:59 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; acad1228; AirForceMom; Colonel_Flagg; ...

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Glad~The Master Has Come/O Worship the King.mwa

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107 posted on 09/03/2006 1:12:47 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

108 posted on 09/03/2006 1:13:09 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

Yes, Its very nice outside.
I even opened the windows! Good thing too, because Im fixin to make lasagna :-P and the kitchen is gonna get hot

109 posted on 09/03/2006 1:14:42 PM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

110 posted on 09/03/2006 1:15:34 PM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

Yummers! That sounds scrumptious, MY. Save some for me! :D It is 64 degrees here...perfect nap weather. Which I shall take after posting a few more tunes.

111 posted on 09/03/2006 1:17:32 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; acad1228; AirForceMom; Colonel_Flagg; ...

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Dallas Christian Choir~How Beautiful

*If you would like to support the artists you hear in the Canteen,
please go to the top of the thread.
We are proud to provide various links
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112 posted on 09/03/2006 1:17:38 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

Good afternoon Sissy!
*HUG*
I'm okay thanks!
It is 58 and rainy and windy..
This weather makes my hands ache..
*sigh*
Now the hip is calm but me hands hurt..
sheesh
Ms.B

113 posted on 09/03/2006 1:18:59 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

L0L
I gotta get going too, I have stuff to do.
Isnt sunday supposed to be the day of rest?

I save ya some lasagna and garlic bread, salad and a glass of the grape

114 posted on 09/03/2006 1:21:10 PM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

You getting your dose of Ernie this afternoon? It's nice and cool here, too. I just love it.

Hope ya get something for your hands. Have you taken some ibuprofen or something. Makes it hard to type with sore hands!

115 posted on 09/03/2006 1:22:01 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; acad1228; AirForceMom; Colonel_Flagg; ...

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Cathedral Quartet~Trying to Get a Glimpse.wma

Be ready to clap your hands!

*If you would like to support the artists you hear in the Canteen,
please go to the top of the thread.
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116 posted on 09/03/2006 1:22:16 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

Good Sunday afternoon to the txradioguy family. Any flooding in your area? Hope you are having a couple days off.

117 posted on 09/03/2006 1:22:40 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

dang it!
Are ya leaving already?
*sniff*
Ms.B

118 posted on 09/03/2006 1:23:53 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

I put some Aspercreme on em.
That stuff works great and has no smell.
It's good for a sore hip, too, Sis!
This getting older is no fun!
ms.B

119 posted on 09/03/2006 1:25:51 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (women who behave rarely make history)

Thanks...that will taste much better than the little burger I was going to have.

Have fun doing this..I know that this kind of work is fun for you...you can't fool me!

See ya later!

120 posted on 09/03/2006 1:26:41 PM PDT by luvie ("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)

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