When she was six, my daughter Hannah asked, “What’s God?” I am not sure what I replied, but I certainly assured her that it varies for different people and whatever she thought about it was OK: God is not trapped in one religion. We all have “gods”, for we all hold faith in things unseen— principles, affections, opinions and other intangible sources of conviction, inspiration and direction.
Oh, Source of All Gratitude, help us to be Thankful when we are tested to our limits, stretched beyond belief or relentlessly challenged; for troubled confrontation combined with honest exploration is a gateway to harmonious wisdom.
Although our denials, evasions and minimizations sometimes delude us, we are basically rational, mostly moral and often reasonable; and we remain lovable, capable and forgivable. We seek to improve, and strive for what is right. But it bodes us well to acknowledge that our limited minds are too partial to supply objective views about ourselves, others or situations. Our self-justifications, personalized preferences and subjective notions can always benefit from a candid reality check.
Faith in goodness leads to serenity, where peace with quiet flows. With faith I can cease being a hostage in the jail of fear and grief, and escape the prison of what went wrong.
With optional responses
Oh, nurturing God we thank you for the seeds The source is yours and all in it
Especially when I feel stressed, may stillness help me to become calm, so that I can wait for silent consolation.
Early Christians too brought great historical stories to their new convictions: stories that had preceded Jesus. Matthew, for example presented Jesus as a revitalized Moses who completed revelations from the Torah. He showed how the new faith emerged with fresh expectations and a novel sense of liberation. But he also showed how it consistently remained within established Jewish law and practices.
One breath; one breath at time. A breath-on-breath is all we get, and you cannot take it with you
Motto of Buoy Tender USCGC William Tate
Oh, Guide of the Way, My safety in trust Determine my path
The Right Moral Way has not changed over time and remains psychologically sound. In a “Psychology Today” article entitled ‘The (Only) Seven Spiritual Principles We Need to Succeed’, Karl Albrecht reveals traditional key values for moral living that are still crucial in contemporary times.
Wage peace! to acknowledge faith declare love confess failure expose injustice admit mistakes
Sing a new love song; for in every moment, compassion does marvelous things: its power dissipates hate and revenge. Compassion creates contagious miracles
Oh essence of all that is worthy of praise, teach us to be grateful for our blessings; help us grow in compassion toward those less fortunate than ourselves, and draw us closer together in the generosity of your Grace.
Look at me! Check it out! I am grinning like a kid again! I am one with the world in a flow of wonder! Land, sea and sky join in my delight
Praise universal wisdom; be thankful for what you learn. You who seek insights, advocate for self-knowledge,
One of my favorite books from the 1970’s is To Have or To Be, by Eric Fromm in which he describes a significant
Generous affection is my inspiration for whole relationships. May my narrow mind arise above all limiting expectations; my fearful heart stir with certainties of compassion; and my actions witness to peace.
May the sacred spirit of life’s adventure Keep me safe when I feel afraid Make me steadfast when I am sad