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

141 posted on 09/03/2006 2:03:29 PM PDT by tongue-tied (Go Cubs!)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

149 posted on 09/03/2006 2:28:23 PM PDT by tongue-tied (Go Cubs!)

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!!!)

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..)

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)

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~)

Warning! This is a big ol loud rock and roll spiritual! Look in the Sky (with wonder)

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)

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)

158 posted on 09/03/2006 4:06:14 PM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

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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