Prayer Of An Unknown Confederate Soldier
26 08 2003
Facebook
del.icio.us
Digg it
Technorati?
Blogs4GodI asked God for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for,
– but everthing I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself,
– my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all people, most richly blessed.
You conveniently have changed the last line to be more politically correct. The actual prayer concludes: “I am, among all men, most richly blessed”. No doubt the prayer applies equally, but don’t put words into the man’s mouth that weren’t there, it does not show respect to him or to history.