OPEN TO DOUBT
My poem, “Failing To Yield,” has been published in the Spring/Summer issue of Quartet Journal. In an oblique way, the poem questions the value of prayer. When I was younger, I expected that by prayer I could reach God, who would intervene in an emergency and change things for the better, especially when difficulties seemed too hard to bear. For example, when my mom had a stroke, I prayed that she get better. When that didn’t happen, my lack of faith was at fault, at least that is what I was taught.
I have friends who, when they’re sick or have something like cancer, ask me to pray for them. I have to wonder what they expect of my prayers. And I wonder what I expect of those prayers.
Of course, prayers are of no use in saving lives or relieving pain, at least not physical pain. A prayer only has an effect, if at all, to the person who is praying. I pray for spiritual guidance, which I hope will give me good judgment and courage, but so far my prayers haven’t given me confidence in myself or God.
No comments:
Post a Comment