MIDWEEK PRAYER

Yesterday, I wrote about a poem that was a favorite of General Douglas MacArthur called "Youth."  Today, I will donate the prayer that MacArthur himself wrote.  It could be called "A Prayer for His Son."  We can't limit this to young men - it applies to young women as well - all my children and theirs.

Dear God,

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know thee - and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenges.  Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail. 

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men, one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously.  Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength. 

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain."

👍