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

To: Kathy in Alaska; All

May God Protect Our Protectors

81 posted on 09/03/2006 8:02:24 AM PDT by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES.)

82 posted on 09/03/2006 8:49:49 AM PDT by laurenmarlowe

To: Kathy in Alaska

The rain we had through May & June must have gone all the way around the world and landed on you! Isn't meteorology amazing!

This time, we are just getting the shards of Ernesto, one day of rain. Maybe a little more Tuesday, maybe an Ernie last gasp, I'm not sure.

83 posted on 09/03/2006 9:01:04 AM PDT by Lady Jag (People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid.)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; All

Good Morning earlybirds.
Good morning troops.

84 posted on 09/03/2006 9:59:44 AM PDT by mylife (gotta get)

Thank You.

I post it every week.

It's something I made and is not for sale.

I do not hold any copyrights for the graphics, background papers, or of course, The Psalm.

85 posted on 09/03/2006 10:09:21 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

I understand. I would pay for a plaque to place on my wall with our tribute to our son. But, I understand.

86 posted on 09/03/2006 10:15:00 AM PDT by SoldierDad (Proud Father of an American Soldier)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Thats a fine Chaplain Tonk. Some ministers forget that we are human. We all fall short of the glory, yet we all hold that spark.

John the Revelator

87 posted on 09/03/2006 10:16:59 AM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

I am glad you appreciate it, that is what it is for.

Thank You for your service and for your son's.

88 posted on 09/03/2006 10:18:04 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

89 posted on 09/03/2006 10:19:44 AM PDT by SoldierDad (Proud Father of an American Soldier)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Good morning and thanks for the coffee, Kathy!

{{HUGS}}

90 posted on 09/03/2006 10:22:43 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)

91 posted on 09/03/2006 10:25:57 AM PDT by Soaring Feather

92 posted on 09/03/2006 11:05:49 AM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

I knew I'd goober that post up L0L

Vision

93 posted on 09/03/2006 11:08:30 AM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

Goobered that post up too L0L

John the Revelator

94 posted on 09/03/2006 11:22:57 AM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Good morning Tonk. Thank you for the Sunday thread.

95 posted on 09/03/2006 12:07:36 PM PDT by tongue-tied (Go Cubs!)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Good morning Kathy, thank you for the prayer, and here's hoping your day is restive.

96 posted on 09/03/2006 12:09:44 PM PDT by tongue-tied (Go Cubs!)

To: Kathy in Alaska; All

97 posted on 09/03/2006 12:57:48 PM PDT by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)

Good evening, tt.....first thing on my list this morning here is to try and get my flights set in stone for my annual Thanksgiving trip to Arroyo Grande, California, up near Pismo Beach.

98 posted on 09/03/2006 12:59:07 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (~ God Bless and Protect Our Brave Protectors of Freedom~)

To: txradioguy; tongue-tied

99 posted on 09/03/2006 12:59:45 PM PDT by mylife (the roar of the masses could be farts)

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

~~MUSIC FOR THE TROOPS~~

Acappella~Set Me Free

*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*

100 posted on 09/03/2006 1:02:09 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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