Prayers for Lent, Day Eight: Give Up, Take On, Pray

Rumi 13th Century Persian
Poet, Teacher, Theologian, Sufi Mystic

     ...gives us much to think about this Lenten season, and every day of our lives.  He was described as America's favorite poet in 2007.  If only we acted on more of his messages than merely enjoying them.

     Teaching unlimited tolerance, goodness, charity, and awareness through love, his message appeals to a wide range of creeds and sects around the world. This Rumi message continues the theme from yesterday.  People ~ whether they are liked, disliked, loved, hated, or as invisible ~ create all sorts of reactions and responses in our lives. Pay attention to the people you meet today - family, friends, co-workers, customers, clients, drivers on the road, fast food workers, store clerks.  What words come to mind with each encounter (be honest with yourself!)...is there a lesson for you to think about?  How will you accept or resist them?


Dear Loving Creator of All Humanity,  
           We, Your people come in all shapes, sizes, colors, temperaments, personalities, beliefs, etc., and we judge them all according to our own sense of right, wrong, or indifferent as us and them. Yes, yes, I know I'm not supposed to do that however it just seems to come naturally - meet, size up (also known as judge), decide, all in a nano-second.  For today, I will give up making a decision about someone based on a snap-judgment. I will take on an attempt to learn from each individual I encounter even if it is only seconds long. I will pray for everyone I see, or as many as I can, even if only with a quick "Bless her/him, Lord", even if the encounter is unpleasant, or perhaps because it is. I'll try to change the ugly words that sometimes come into my head in order to be more charitable, positive, and tolerant. Help me, Lord, to remember, that each one is Yours and to be grateful.  amen.


Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. Requestors will remain anonymous.