War Prayer

IronDragon · 03-20-2003, 09:09 AM

O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle-be Thou near them! With them, in spirit, we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it-for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.

The War Prayer
Mark Twain

Ronn_Bman · 03-20-2003, 10:05 AM

Mark Twain wasn't much of a praying man, but he was great with satire.

Stratos · 03-20-2003, 10:12 AM

Amen!

[ 03-20-2003, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ]

norompanlasolas · 03-20-2003, 12:58 PM

yep, it makes me wonder when for example bush says "god bless america" and all that pseudo-religious rethoric. do they really believe it??? so god has a preference now? its like when people pray so that their football team wins, but of course fans from the rival team do the same... some actually believe that he would take sides. the same is for this war, if he blesses and protects the americans, is he killing irakis? does god take sides? this is an honest question because for the life of me, it is one mindset that i cannot grasp. its so far out from my life perspective and reality (and people i live with) that it is as alien to me as saddams views... well, maybe not thar much

so, what is gods nationality then?!!!

Thoran · 03-20-2003, 01:03 PM

Hehe... Mark Twain was a very funny guy.

Ronn_Bman · 03-20-2003, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by norompanlasolas:
yep, it makes me wonder when for example bush says "god bless america" and all that pseudo-religious rethoric. do they really believe it??? so god has a preference now? its like when people pray so that their football team wins, but of course fans from the rival team do the same... some actually believe that he would take sides. the same is for this war, if he blesses and protects the americans, is he killing irakis? does god take sides? this is an honest question because for the life of me, it is one mindset that i cannot grasp. its so far out from my life perspective and reality (and people i live with) that it is as alien to me as saddams views... well, maybe not thar much

so, what is gods nationality then?!!!

God has no nationality. We are all God's children.

"God Bless America", or a prayer for your favorite football team is a request Noro, not a demand of God. While we can ask for anything, God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want.

You asked an honest question, and I answered it honestly, but I won't debate the issue because religious debates go nowhere. Some here may take you up on it if you choose, but I won't. I've answered your question to the best of my ability, but I won't try to convert you.

[ 03-20-2003, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

The.Relic · 03-20-2003, 09:00 PM

Norompanlasolas, an honest question and one that has been asked throughout the ages of humankind regarding religious beliefs and practices in relation to those of another.
In respect to America, and our governments official stance regarding religion and its overwhelming support of evolution or some other theory that negates external involvement in shaping humankinds developement, I would have to say that in my opinion, statements like "God Bless America", are now primarily, and I reiterate "primarily", not "entirely", rhetoric and used as a means to bolster and console the vast necessary "voting constituents" of our nation who still hold religious views. Please do not mistake this remark as an attempt to promote evolution over religion, or vice-versa.
As far as "God taking sides", unfortunately far too many wars have been faught off and on the battlefield throughout history with either one or the other, and even both sides or all parties involved believing that God in his/her/its particular manifestation based on their beliefs was on their side. And unfortunately this is one of the reasons why extreme religious zealots can be so uttery dangerous to the wellbeing of humankind. I'm actually glad that you can't fathom the depths of their beliefs, sometimes not comprehending really is a blessing.

03-20-2003, 09:09 AM	#1
IronDragon Elminster Join Date: January 16, 2003 Location: Michigan Age: 58 Posts: 419	O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle-be Thou near them! With them, in spirit, we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it-for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen. The War Prayer Mark Twain __________________ Ever notice that "What The Hell!" is always the right decision?- Marilyn Monroe

03-20-2003, 10:05 AM	#2
Ronn_Bman Zartan Join Date: March 11, 2001 Location: North Carolina USA Age: 57 Posts: 5,177	Mark Twain wasn't much of a praying man, but he was great with satire. __________________ [img]\"http://home.carolina.rr.com/orthanc/pics/Spinning%20Hammer%20Sig%20Pic.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

03-20-2003, 10:12 AM	#3
Stratos Vampire Join Date: January 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 43 Posts: 3,888	Amen! [ 03-20-2003, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ] __________________ Nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of probability.

03-20-2003, 12:58 PM	#4
norompanlasolas Avatar Join Date: November 13, 2001 Location: madrid, spain... made in argentina Age: 47 Posts: 569	yep, it makes me wonder when for example bush says "god bless america" and all that pseudo-religious rethoric. do they really believe it??? so god has a preference now? its like when people pray so that their football team wins, but of course fans from the rival team do the same... some actually believe that he would take sides. the same is for this war, if he blesses and protects the americans, is he killing irakis? does god take sides? this is an honest question because for the life of me, it is one mindset that i cannot grasp. its so far out from my life perspective and reality (and people i live with) that it is as alien to me as saddams views... well, maybe not thar much so, what is gods nationality then?!!! __________________ no

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Prayer Bag	Mirror Image	Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2 Also SoU & HotU Forum	0	10-30-2006 01:08 AM
Priest Prayer Effects	Tyros the Demon Slayer	Miscellaneous Games (RPG or not)	4	02-15-2005 11:22 AM
Say a Prayer for the Cygnet.	Charlie	General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005)	7	03-28-2003 06:34 PM
The Lads Prayer	Charlie	General Conversation Archives (11/2000 - 01/2005)	4	01-13-2003 06:15 PM
Prayer	Zenith	Baldurs Gate II Archives	1	11-13-2000 08:55 AM

03-20-2003, 01:03 PM	#5
Thoran Galvatron Join Date: January 10, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Age: 56 Posts: 2,109	Hehe... Mark Twain was a very funny guy.

03-20-2003, 09:00 PM	#7
The.Relic Red Dragon Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Long Beach, CA. USA Age: 67 Posts: 1,589	Norompanlasolas, an honest question and one that has been asked throughout the ages of humankind regarding religious beliefs and practices in relation to those of another. In respect to America, and our governments official stance regarding religion and its overwhelming support of evolution or some other theory that negates external involvement in shaping humankinds developement, I would have to say that in my opinion, statements like "God Bless America", are now primarily, and I reiterate "primarily", not "entirely", rhetoric and used as a means to bolster and console the vast necessary "voting constituents" of our nation who still hold religious views. Please do not mistake this remark as an attempt to promote evolution over religion, or vice-versa. As far as "God taking sides", unfortunately far too many wars have been faught off and on the battlefield throughout history with either one or the other, and even both sides or all parties involved believing that God in his/her/its particular manifestation based on their beliefs was on their side. And unfortunately this is one of the reasons why extreme religious zealots can be so uttery dangerous to the wellbeing of humankind. I'm actually glad that you can't fathom the depths of their beliefs, sometimes not comprehending really is a blessing.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)