Say A Prayer

Say a prayer for me because I struggle with myself.
Say a prayer for yourself because you too struggle.
Say a prayer for your neighbor because it's been hard
and her job may not be there tomorrow.
Say a prayer for your co-worker because
their brother is dying.
Say a prayer quietly.
Say a wordless prayer in your mind.
Say a prayer for everyone.
Say a prayer for no one.
Say a prayer if you carry the faith.
Say a prayer if you are faithless.
Say a prayer because it is the secret hope
that our hearts carry.
Say a prayer because there is always
something to be prayed for.
Say a prayer because life
is an unceasing place of hardship and joy.
Say a prayer because you live.
Say a prayer because you are dying.
Say a prayer because you will one day
be among the dead.
Say a prayer and expect nothing.
Say a prayer because it's not what you would do.
Say a prayer because someone is listening.
Say a prayer because that someone is you.
Say a prayer because you'll ask a God
you don't believe in to be kind and merciful
to someone you love.
Say a prayer because you will know loss
and curse the idea of any kind of creator.
Say a prayer because you create
the world you wish to see.
Say a prayer for your siblings
and the ways you do not know each other.
Say a prayer because our infirmities
can only grow from here.
Say a prayer for peace.
Say a prayer that perhaps we will act
against the tide of history.
Say a prayer for our city, our state,
our country, our world.
Say a prayer because we are all we have
and this is the only home we'll know.

You can't call God for tech support.
The number is disconnected.

Prayer

I pray
but I do not pray
to the God of Abraham,
to the God of Christ,
to the God of Mohammed.

    I do not pray to Gaia,
    I do not pray to Buddha,
    I do not pray to Vishnu.
But I do pray.

I pray so that my thoughts
can find their way into the world.
I pray so that my intentions
can be known.
I pray so that I feel a measure
of comfort and relief.

I pray in private.
I pray silently.
I pray when no one
would imagine me doing so.
I pray as I walk
before I break into a run.

I pray to keep those I love
in good fortune.
I pray for strength.
I pray so I may make
the right choices
and learn from my missteps.

I pray so my tears can find their way,
I pray so I may smile when I am happy.

I pray for you, though, you may have
never asked me to do so.

I pray because I have no faith,
I pray because my faith envelopes
the whole of the world.

I pray so I can enable creation
and be at peace when
the world is rearranged.

I pray before I drive,
I pray to be more whole.

I pray because I do not have to.
I pray because I wish to do so.

I pray because I wish to give thanks.

I pray because I continue to be.

The Conflict

I went to my church
to confess to the priest

all of my sins
all of wrongs

seeking absolution
seeking resolution

to the burning parts
of my soul

Hail Mary
Our Father

Rosary in my hands
beads touching fingertips

Forgive me for my sins
Forgive all of my wrongs

I confess
I confess

Make me pure
Make me whole

again

I confess
I have sinned

against you, Lord
Make me whole