A prayer offered for the New Years.
I heard a prayer said at the dinner table that moved me.
Dear God, thank you for all this abundance, and these new friends. Please remind us that the differences between us are more important to us than they are to you.
It inspired me to write this prayer to you for the coming year.
You know God we don't talk like this all that much anymore. Now I don't feel worried or guilty at all about not being on my knees to you. Because, being a lefty, I don't see you in church that often. I don't feel I have to see you in a church. I see you all the time- in the unreasonably happy smile of a child in a stroller. I see you in an act of kindness that might be something as simple as opening a door or saying thank you to an overworked cashier. I saw you on the Science Channel last night when animators recreated the inner workings of a mitochondria, a complex organism inside a single human cell one one/millionth of a meter across.
I see you even when I don't open my eyes. So, I know you're there. And I know you can hear me.
First of all, I ask your forgiveness.
Frankly God, for half of America and most of the rest of the world, these last few years really sucked. I think most of us Americans have all been spoiled. We grew up living in the greatest nation on the Earth, the USA, perched on the moral high ground since could remember. We were always the good guys. We all grew up in a nation that was ridiculously generous, and high minded and worldly. And in the last four years, we have seen our own country become a pariah in the world of civilized men. Torture. Lies. We have squandered friendships and alliances and worse, we actually started a war. And like me, most of us did what we could do and hoped for some better outcome. I watched helplessly as my neighbors, people who otherwise would seem kind and normal defend our warring, defend it even when it became a murderous mess, and defend torture. I have watched the news people lost their nerve and direction and decided to sell brands rather than tell the truth. I have seen good Americans avert their gaze when we cut funding to the poorest among us, in education, medicine, and housing. I have watched in amazement as our leaders and their drones smeared the reputations of heroes and then confer medals to criminals and incompetents. I have watched as lobbyists and industrialists descended upon our government and told everyone that they were your messengers. I have seen an ugly side to my country and I need your guidance, now more than ever.
Just so you know, I read history and I have certainly read the Bible and know that this is not the first time this has happened. But like a lot of Americans,
I think no one here knows exactly what to do. Forgive us for that. I simply don't know what to do now. What do you do when your country commits horrid crimes and tells lies about them? I saw the play Cabaret and watched characters that couldn't face the cliff that Germany was driving into. They couldn't look. And now, I am beginning to avert my gaze and I have to tell you God, I am not quite sure what has become of my country and what I can do to make things better. Tell me what you want me to do. Tell us all.
Next, I ask for relief.
So many people have suffered this year. Retirees in Florida, many of who were faithful quiet people who did their patriotic duties and worked a lifetime, only to see it blow away in a moment. We ask that you give them room and board and solace, and security. Just a few days ago a wave killed hundreds of thousands of people who, to our knowledge did nothing but live their lives. In an instant, so much suffering. Today, thousands of Americans and thousands of Iraqis are suffering in a war that few can explain except in platitudes. Bring our soldiers home whole. Give the Iraqis peace and dignity. Give the Palestinians a homeland. Give the Israelis peace. Help us save our own country. Help us to understand what all this suffering means and how we can put this in some framework that doesn't torture us for the rest of our lives.
I ask for justice.
Lord, I want my country back. It was the best thing going for a while. It represented the best in all of us. So I ask for justice in regards to those who destroyed those institutions and customs so quickly that once perched us upon the moral high ground. May the perpetrators of crimes have to face their past deeds. May those who protected the innocent be exalted. I hope the Iraqis will one day forgive us for our missteps.
And now a few thanks.
Thank you for the brave young men and women who go to strip mall and take an oath to the flag and serve no matter what. Can't wait to see them all home.
Thank You for this Kossack community. These people have been very important to me. These faceless nicknames I have followed for the last two years have impressed me and enlightened me and encouraged me and reminded me that no one else will save us. We have to do that ourselves.
Please send a messiah already.
There are a ton of people out there claiming to be your messengers. I mean if Falwell and Bennet really speak you, just tell me. Or tell them to please shut up.
I pray that everyone has a Happy New Year. Look forward to talking to you next year.