The United States Congress designates the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer, an annual day of observance when individuals are encouraged "to turn to God in prayer and meditation." The President is legally obligated to issue a proclamation each year, urging all Americans to participate in this day of prayer. Living in a nation where the highest leader promotes such spiritual contemplation fills me with gratitude.
I did some reflection on the meaning of prayer using some poems as my guides. Whenever I think of prayer, I first think of Ardaas, literally meaning prayer, one of my earliest compositions and the title of my first album. Its beautiful how Gurbani reminds us that a prayer is actually the acknowledgement of oneness. I'm sharing in this blog some poems from Mary Oliver, Pope Francis and Alfred Noyes that are congruent with this definition and expand on the true meaning of prayer.
God, this is my humble petition:
that you are the true master
that you always protect me
and I meditate on You.
that all life and creatures are yours
and you permeate all
that one who slanders your servant
is vanquished completely
that renouncing my worries, I am carefree
at your feet
Reading Poetry by Mary Oliver, Alfred Noyes and Pope Francis
Prayer is a powerful force that can provide comfort, hope, strength in the midst of adversity, and a reason to be jubilantly in awe.
As Mary Oliver writes in her poem "The Summer Day," "I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day." Mary suggests that prayer can be about paying attention to nature, immersing oneself in the beauty of the natural world, and finding a sense of connection and peace through that experience.
Alfred Noyes' poem "A Prayer in Time of War" further emphasizes the importance of prayer as a means of finding strength and hope in times of adversity. Alfred writes, "Give us courage, give us faith, give us hope; strengthen us, oh God, that we may be strong in our faith and may resist the evil that surrounds us." The poem suggests that prayer can provide a sense of courage and resilience in the face of fear and uncertainty.
Pope Francis' poem "A Prayer for Our Earth" highlights the importance of gratitude and reverence for the natural world in our prayers. Pope Francis writes, "Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature." The poem emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of recognizing our responsibility as stewards of the earth.
Just like Gurbani, these poems suggest that while prayer can take many different forms, but its power lies in its ability to provide a sense of connection, strength, and compassion. Through prayer, we can find solace in nature, cultivate a sense of resilience in the face of adversity, and recognize our responsibility to protect and care for the natural world.
The Summer Day
Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
I love Mary Oliver's poetry. This poem is a beautiful example of how a prayer can be about paying attention to nature. In the poem, she contemplates the natural world around her, observing the grasshopper, the swan, and the black bear. She marvels at the intricate details of the grasshopper's movements, the bear's strength and majesty, and the swan's grace and beauty.
As she watches the grasshopper, she reflects on the mystery of creation, wondering who made these creatures and the world they inhabit. She recognizes that there is much in the natural world that she doesn't understand, and she humbly accepts this mystery.
But despite her lack of understanding, she knows how to pay attention to the world around her. She knows how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down and be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields. In other words, she knows how to be fully present in the natural world, to immerse herself in its beauty and wonder.
This, to her, is a form of prayer. It is a way of expressing gratitude for the gift of life and for the beauty of the natural world. It is a way of acknowledging the mystery of creation and our place in it. And it is a way of connecting with something greater than ourselves.
Indeed, paying attention to nature can be a powerful form of prayer. When we take the time to observe the natural world around us, we can find a deep sense of peace and wonder. We can connect with something greater than ourselves, and we can feel a sense of gratitude for the gift of life.
In a world that is often chaotic and busy, paying attention to nature can be a way of finding stillness and calm. It can help us to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life, like the grasshopper, the swan, and the black bear. And it can remind us of our place in the natural world and our responsibility to care for it.
A prayer can be about paying attention to nature. By immersing ourselves in the beauty and wonder of the natural world, we can connect with something greater than ourselves and find a deep sense of peace and gratitude. And in a world that is often busy and chaotic, this kind of prayer can be a powerful way of finding stillness and calm.
A Prayer for our Earth
- Pope Francis
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
* This prayer is included in Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato si’
Pope Francis' poem "A Prayer for Our Earth" teaches us several important things about prayer. First and foremost, the poem emphasizes the importance of gratitude and reverence for the natural world. The poem implores us to recognize the beauty and complexity of the earth and to treat it with the respect and care it deserves.
The poem also teaches us that prayer can be a powerful tool for awakening our compassion and sense of interconnectedness with all living beings. Through prayer, we can cultivate a deep sense of empathy and concern for the well-being of all creatures, both human and non-human.
Additionally, the poem suggests that prayer is not just an individual act, but can be a collective effort that brings people together across borders and boundaries. The prayer acknowledges the impact of human actions on the earth and calls on people from all corners of the world to come together to address the environmental challenges we face.
The poem also highlights the importance of action as well as prayer. It encourages us to recognize our responsibility as stewards of the earth and to take concrete steps to protect and preserve the environment.
Prayer can be a powerful force for fostering gratitude, compassion, and action in relation to the natural world. It reminds us of the interconnection between all living beings and the importance of treating the earth with the respect and care it deserves.
A Prayer in Time of War
- Alfred Noyes
The war will change many things in art and life, and among them, it is to be hoped, many of our own ideas as to what is, and what is not, "intellectual."
Thou, whose deep ways are in the sea,
Whose footsteps are not known,
To-night a world that turned from Thee
Is waiting — at Thy Throne.
The towering Babels that we raised
Where scoffing sophists brawl,
The little Antichrists we praised —
The night is on them all.
The fool hath said . . . The fool hath said . ..
And we, who deemed him wise,
We who believed that Thou wast dead,
How should we seek Thine eyes?
How should we seek to Thee for power
Who scorned Thee yesterday?
How should we kneel, in this dread hour?
Lord, teach us how to pray!
Grant us the single heart, once more,
That mocks no sacred thing,
The Sword of Truth our fathers wore
When Thou wast Lord and King.
Let darkness unto darkness tell
Our deep unspoken prayer,
For, while our souls in darkness dwell,
We know that Thou art there.
"A Prayer in Time of War" by Alfred Noyes is a poignant poem that speaks to the power of prayer in times of great adversity. The poem begins with the speaker asking for a prayer that is strong enough to rise above the chaos and destruction of war. The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of praying in such a time, where fear and uncertainty reign.
The poem tells us that a prayer is a powerful force that can transcend even the most dire of circumstances. It can provide a sense of hope and comfort in the midst of chaos and despair. The speaker implores the reader to pray not only for their own safety but for the safety of all those affected by the war.
The poem also tells us that prayer is a deeply personal act. The speaker emphasizes that each person's prayer will be different, tailored to their own unique experiences and circumstances. He acknowledges that some may pray for victory, while others may pray for peace. But regardless of the specific content of the prayer, the act of praying itself is what is important.
Furthermore, the poem suggests that prayer is a way of connecting with something greater than ourselves. The speaker urges the reader to look beyond their own individual needs and desires and to pray for the greater good. He suggests that prayer is a way of aligning ourselves with a higher power and tapping into a source of strength and courage that goes beyond our own limited capabilities.
In terms of how to pray, the poem suggests that there is no one right way. The speaker acknowledges that each person will have their own approach, and that is perfectly valid. What is important is the act of praying itself, the intention behind it, and the sense of connection it provides.
Overall, prayer is a powerful force that can provide comfort, hope, and strength in the midst of adversity. It is a deeply personal act that can take many different forms, but the intention behind it is what is important. The poem suggests that prayer is a way of connecting with something greater than ourselves, and it is a way of tapping into a source of strength and courage that goes beyond our own limited capabilities.
Singing oneness!
