A Soldier’s Prayer

I have been asked by some friends on Facebook to post “A Soldier’s Prayer” but before I do I wanted to give a little perspective into the Civil War and the turmoil going on in this country at the time.  There are still problems in this country and around the world but we continually strive to live in hopes of a better world.  Do your part to remember those from our past and those of our future whose sacrifice gives us the Freedoms we enjoy today.

July 2, 1863 during the battle of Gettysburg in the area of Devil’s Den this prayer was written by a dying confederate soldier.  There are conflicting stories over the years whether it was found folded in his pocket or written in blood on the floor next to his body.  Either way it gives great perspective into life and living.

Casualty figures for the second day of Gettysburg are difficult to assess because both armies reported by unit after the full battle, not by day.  One estimate is that the Confederates lost approximately 6,000 killed, missing, or wounded from Hood's, McLaws's and Anderson's divisions, amounting to 30–40% casualties.  Union casualties in these actions probably exceeded 9,000.  The three day battle was one of the bloodiest of the Civil War as the conflict continued until April 9, 1865 when the surrender occurred with the formal ceremony between Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant on April 12, 1865.

I was given this prayer by Max Cleland so many years ago as I flew him around Georgia while campaigning for Secretary of State.  I have it on the wall of my office and read it each day.  I still get goose bumps for it reminds me of the importance of having pure motives . . . God focused and ultimately the importance of where I look for fulfillment.

A Soldier’s Prayer

I asked God for strength that I might achieve
I was made weak that I might learn to obey

I asked for health that I might do great 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 everything I had hoped for
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered

I am among all men most richly blessed.

Each of the desires that were expressed is desires that I believe we can relate to today.  Strength, Health, Riches, Power, All things so that we can enjoy life . . . What is not to be desired?

Many of us have some or even all of the things just mentioned to varying degrees.  But do we let the things we have in our life define who we are?  Do we let them define our happiness?  Where do you find your inner peace?

Happiness does not enter the equation until the decision to be happy is made by the individual.  Happiness is a state of mind of being thankful for whatever we do have and the talents we have been blessed with.  Without that decision . . . to be happy independent of everything else . . . we will find ourselves to be much like a dog chasing its own tail.  The poor dog will never catch its tail and the result will just be a dizzying frustration.  

There are times in my life that I find myself chasing my tail.  I came north to Alaska to find an unseen peace I knew would be here.  God’s country at every turn and I have the opportunity to travel to many remote places off the road system experiencing the native culture and helping them have a better, healthier life with my work.  I can see the changes firsthand and it fills me beyond my wildest dreams.

Most of us have never had to live in the worst of what the world has to offer.  Probably most of us have food to eat and daily opportunities to interact with others who are interested and care about us.  Sometimes quickly our minds can run away and begin to be ungrateful and desirous of the pleasures that we presume others to have.  Living up to the Jones’ has never been for me, I like doing things my own way and sometimes taking the road less traveled.  It has brought me a peace I could not find before and has brought me to find many new friends and expanded my consciousness of my fellow man.

We are all truly blessed and we need those reminders to stay focused on what God has to offer us.

Ice