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FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ AN ODD WAY TO PRAY ~ SEP 03 2006
chaplaincare.navy.mil/ ^
| LCDR Diane M. Wilson, CHC, USN
Posted on 09/02/2006 5:10:53 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
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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
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: chaplain
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To: mylife
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Those two soldiers in the light....
Lord, lead us to thy light's reasons to live,
and sway our enemy's cause from death.
Or so dispense us, God, as many pan-islamists as we can then kill
that then such enemy needs be crushed.
142
posted on
09/03/2006 2:05:01 PM PDT
by
onedoug
To: TASMANIANRED
Nice memories are a good thing. It is one of my favorites also. Hope you are having a "good" day.
143
posted on
09/03/2006 2:05:17 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)
To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; acad1228; AirForceMom; Colonel_Flagg; ...
~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir~How Great Thou Art
*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
so you can purchase their music*
144
posted on
09/03/2006 2:06:48 PM PDT
by
luvie
("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)
To: MS.BEHAVIN; All
That's all the music for this afternoon....naptime! :D
145
posted on
09/03/2006 2:08:08 PM PDT
by
luvie
("I want our troops to understand that not only does the country support them, but--we'll win! GWB)
To: LUV W
See ya later!
Sleep well!
ms.B
146
posted on
09/03/2006 2:13:38 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(women who behave rarely make history)
To: tongue-tied
TT!!
Funny you should show up now..
I just finished packing your boxes!
Ms.B
147
posted on
09/03/2006 2:24:41 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(women who behave rarely make history)
To: All
Gotta get back to work!
See ya tonite!
ms.B
148
posted on
09/03/2006 2:25:53 PM PDT
by
MS.BEHAVIN
(women who behave rarely make history)
To: MS.BEHAVIN
grins
LOL...boxes are so cool...wait, boxES?! You sending me a Jeep?
I'm in and out as usual, work some, catch a break and pop in FR...same ol' same ol'...hope you have a good day.
To: HopeandGlory
150
posted on
09/03/2006 2:32:38 PM PDT
by
HopeandGlory
(Hey, Liberals . . . PC died on 9/11 . . . GET USED TO IT!!!)
To: tongue-tied
Hey Hey!
Kinda busy here right now but Im doing fine.
I hope this sunday finds you well.
151
posted on
09/03/2006 2:53:05 PM PDT
by
mylife
(the roar of the masses could be farts)
To: Kathy in Alaska
So far it has been better than many of them recently.
152
posted on
09/03/2006 2:58:54 PM PDT
by
TASMANIANRED
(The Internet is the samizdat of liberty..)
To: All
IMHO it doesnt get any better than this. This song was written by one of my favorite guitarists, Mr Alan Shacklock, and is performed by another favorite of mine Mr Phil Keaggy.
Glass Harp True Believer
153
posted on
09/03/2006 3:04:55 PM PDT
by
mylife
(the roar of the masses could be farts)
To: tongue-tied
I've found all my flights, but the usual puddle jump from LAX to San Luis Obispo is not showing on Alaska Airlines website. I'm doing an online "Help Chat". Close, really close!
154
posted on
09/03/2006 3:08:46 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)
To: All
155
posted on
09/03/2006 3:26:51 PM PDT
by
mylife
(the roar of the masses could be farts)
To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Thank you for the chapel thread, Mr. Tonkin!! *HUGS!*
156
posted on
09/03/2006 3:29:53 PM PDT
by
StarCMC
("So what was the price to betray us - Judas?" - SGT Mark Russak to Traitor Murtha)
To: StarCMC
Hi there Star! Ya having a good sunday? Its kinda quiet in the chapel. I'd best make some noise...
Song of Hope
157
posted on
09/03/2006 4:04:01 PM PDT
by
mylife
(the roar of the masses could be farts)
To: All
158
posted on
09/03/2006 4:06:14 PM PDT
by
mylife
(the roar of the masses could be farts)
To: All
I know that rock doesn't inspire you all, so here is some of the old timey music.
Ya just have to love Doc Watson I am a Pilgrim
159
posted on
09/03/2006 4:47:27 PM PDT
by
mylife
(the roar of the masses could be farts)
This here has nothin to do with Chapel... I just like Doc Watson. I hope this one makes yall smile ;)
Bye Bye Blues
160
posted on
09/03/2006 4:58:05 PM PDT
by
mylife
(the roar of the masses could be farts)
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