National Day of Prayer
Those of you who have seen my monthly prayer request lists probably already know that praying is one of my favourite things to do, so I'm more than a little biased towards there being a National Day of Prayer, as has existed officially since 1952 by the US Congress. I love prayer in many forms. Whether I'm using a traditional prayer in a ritual, speaking spontaneous from my heart in hushed or screamed tones, or murmuring repeated syllables over beads in chanting meditation.
Historically, days of prayer have been declared with the intent of "forming a new nation" (1775), protecting our country "from all the dangers which threaten it" (1798). Since that time politicians have used prayer on everything from communism to terrorism. Indeed, some are praying for the National Day of Prayer to continue to exist, after the President and others were sued last year by the Freedom From Religion Foundation over it. As a lover of prayer and a voter, I'll admit I've often prayed for guidance on specific issues.
However, as the National Day of Prayer is implied to be a day for people of all faiths to unite in prayer for our country, I find it might be counter to the goal to pray for controversial causes. Indeed, many of our prayers may be limiting, as they visualize a means rather than an end. So today, I choose to drop my usual pressure towards goals and instead spend time in mindful meditation outdoors in silence, listening to the country around me. Ready to receive my own role. Every day I pray for my country. Today, it is time for me to listen to it's prayers.
Somebody wrote once that the gift of the wilds
is that they ask nothing of us.
But I hear things differently
from Gaia, and this wild canyon land.
The chill river asks me to submerge, even in the coldest of weather.
The first light of dawn: "Rise from your warm bed."
The rising sun: "Stand and feel me
come into your heart."
The soft ground: "Please, bare your feet."
Every tiny miracle, reaching,
prays to me to notice,
to bless with my attention and gratitude....
To Be Prayer.
Loba's "Living Gratitude Giving Back to Gaia"