One of the most powerful prayers I know is the Serenity Prayer, written by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971). It just makes so much sense, when deliberately thought about…what more is there to strive for than serenity, courage and wisdom. Enjoy a Sunday of serenity.
Words have a way of wandering around my mind and looking for a place to plant themselves. That is when I grab paper, pen, pencil or keyboard and let them have their way.
I love words. They can decorate a plain piece of paper with wisdom, advice, humor, sorrow, poetry, profanity, romance, love…and tragedy. I heard these words of advice on CBC Radio One yesterday, from a call-in listener. The topic was the Syrian refugees and the photo of the little three-year-old boy who washed up on a shore in Turkey, from a capsized boat which would hopefully lead to a new life here in Canada.
The radio host lamented the fact that we don’t always pay close attention to world events until something like the plight of this innocent child brings us to attention…that we fail to take action when and where it is needed. The caller then made this comment: “Don’t look back at what you didn’t do in the past…look forward to what you can do now.” Words. Words to think by, words to feel by, words to act by, words to live by.
Words come in many languages, are spoken by many tongues, are heard by many ears, are written by many authors, poets, laymen, and preachers.
It is also written…In the beginning was the Word…
Word for word, those are words to live by.
This tidbit came my way this morning…not only did I learn a new word, but its meaning.
Paraprosdokians are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous. (Winston Churchill loved them). Here are a few examples:
Where’s there’s a will, I want to be in it.
If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.
War does not determine who is right – only who is left.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit…wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.
Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
In filling out an application, where it says, ‘In case of emergency, Notify:’ I put DOCTOR.
And my own paraprosdokian is this…living is for learning; I want to learn how to live.
Here is something I found in one of my journals. Unfortunately I didn’t make note of the source, but think it is worth sharing.
Your life is a learning process–you can become wiser only by learning. Sometimes you might have to attract making a painful mistake to learn something important, but after the mistake, you have far greater wisdom. Wisdom cannot be bought with money–it can only be acquired by living life. With wisdom comes strength, courage, knowing, and an ever increasing peace.
This post is a duplicate of one titled About Wisdom posted on August 19, 2014. I didn’t do this intentionally, but I think I’ll let it stand, mainly because Solomon’s wisdom has been a recent topic.
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; (Ecclesiastes 3:6)
That word “get” is a real catch-all; we get gifts, we get sick, we get well, we get well known, we get forgotten. There seems to be no end to what we can get…and the Bible tells us to “get wisdom” (Proverbs: 4:7) And then Solomon talks about a time to lose. In his case, because he didn’t use his wisdom wisely, reverting back to the “ways of the world”, Solomon lost God’s respect. A time to get and a time to lose.
To keep and to cast away reminds me of clothing, unworn for years, hanging in a closet, until the time comes get rid of it…”cast it away”. It happened to me just a few days ago. My youngest daughter had given me a dress that I had admired on her. That was 1997! After wearing it many times over the next few years, it somehow found its way to the back of my closet. Now, in still good shape, that dress has been passed on to a charity organization. A time to keep, and a time to cast away.
Tomorrow: A Time to Rend
God, Give Me Wisdom. This is prayer number eight in Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To. Here is today’s excerpt from Anthony DeStefano’s book:
When you ask God for wisdom, you are essentially asking him to give you the gift of himself. And as we’ve seen elsewhere in this book, that’s something he’s always eager to do. Remember, the goal of authentic spirituality is to be in union with God. That’s what the whole spiritual life comes down to. When you’re in union with God, you have direct and immediate access to all of the things that God is, and that includes peace, courage, love wisdom and truth. God wants you to have these things; he wants to shine his light on humanity, to speak his word unceasingly. Therefore, he wants to pour out wisdom on all of us. This is not profound theological thinking, it’s simple common sense. Have you ever heard it said of anyone that they had “the wisdom of Solomon”? Solomon, according to scripture was the wisest man who ever lived. There are several whole books of the Bible devoted to him. When King David died, Solomon became ruler of Israel. One night the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask me for anything you want.” Solomon thought hard about all the different obligations he had to fulfill as king and how overwhelmed he felt, and he decided to ask God for discernment so he could govern better. The Bible says that God was very pleased that he had prayed for this. He told him, “Since you have asked for wisdom and not long life, or wealth, or death of your enemies…I will grant your request and give you a discerning heart.” God was happy when Solomon asked for wisdom–and he’s happy when we ask for it.
I’ll have to admit that I don’t always remember to pray for wisdom, but when I do, somehow my days seem to go a little better. Sometimes my prayer is for the wisdom of Solomon, the faith of Mary, and the patience of Job…or as Jabez said, “Oh, that you would bless me, indeed.”
Monday: Will I Ever Be Happy Again?…God, Bring Good Out of This Bad Situation
Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To by Anthony DeStefano.
It’s a new book I’m reading and for the next ten days I will write a brief excerpt from each chapter, beginning today with the Introduction…or at least comment that upon looking back over my life, I can see where each of these ten prayers has been answered for me. The proof is in remembering.
Here is an excerpt from the author’s Introduction:
How would you like to have incredible, unshakable faith–the kind that could withstand any crisis and any amount of suffering? How would you like to have as much courage and strength as the bravest war hero? the wisdom to solve all the problems you’ll ever face in life? How would you like to have peace–the kind of deep, inner tranquility that can carry you safely and smoothly through all of life’s problems? to experience the most passionate feelings of love, intimacy, and connectedness–no matter how alone you may feel right now? How would you like to know your destiny–a unique destiny God has chosen for you from the beginning of time, a destiny so grand in scope and heroic in proportions that it dwarfs all your dreams–a destiny you can still have no matter what your age, job, or position in life? All these things can be yours, and all you have to do is ask.
Tomorrow: I Wish I Could Believe…God Show Me That You Exist
Dear God, there are those among us whose life is a struggle each day due to the darkness of depression. We know that this malady can be caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry and the hormone, serotonin. We know it can be triggered by life’s problems; by some medications or by dementia-causing diseases. Through no fault of their own, many people slip into the abyss of depression, and can’t find their way out. Be their guiding light, Lord. Lead them into the paths of those who can help them in their struggle. Give their lives meaning, and where there is darkness let there be light. Give those of us who are free from this battle, the compassion and the wisdom to be the channel for your healing love. Amen.
Ralph Waldo Trine (1866-1958) was known, among other things, as a New Thought author. Having said that, part of his education included Knox College. Of his many books, In Tune With the Infinite is the only one I have read and refer to often. It includes the prayer I am going to share today. This prayer has brought me much peace, courage and strength over the years. Take from it what you will.
My Father in Heaven, Infinite Spirit of life and love and wisdom and power, in whom I live and move and have my being, whence cometh my help, manifest Thyself in me. Help me to open myself to the highest wisdom, and insight, and love and power, that I may serve Thee and my fellow men and all my fellow creatures faithfully, and that I may have the divine guidance and care, and that all my needs be supplied.
Oh Christ within, enfold and lead me and reign supreme, that the one life that is my life, I may realize and manifest ever more fully. I am strong in the Infinite Spirit of life and love and wisdom and power. I have and shall have the divine guidance and care; for it is the Father that worketh in me–my Father works and I work. Amen.
Blessings.
This well known prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) is one of my favourites. It has been on my mind all day and I’m thinking someone may need it now.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
Tomorrow I will post one of R.W. Trine’s prayers.
My Precious Life 