Prayer Against Terror..!
Bangalore a few days ago, now Ahmadabad and terror stalks our streets again. We look fearfully at neighbour in train, at bag that lies on luggage rack, not sure whether simple journey will be normal or end in horror.
I watch from window every morning as my children leave for college, “Please God,” I pray, “take care of them!” And He does!
Will every Indian pray such prayer to a God above, whatever his or her faith, wherever he wants to, from temple, church or mosque, to ask for blanket security, calm and peace over this city:
Let us pray:
That we who travel in fear, will shed such dread, knowing a greater power than terrorist, will guard and care for you and me.
That bombs planted will not go off, but will remain mute, unvocal, yet loudly vocal in showing divine security.
That protection forces like police and military will be ever alert and nab culprits from safe hole where they lie waiting to strike, that for once the colour of gold will not entice our khaki clad agencies from doing their duty.
Let us pray:
That politicians and other so called leaders will not use these uncertain times to incite, provoke and whip up communal passions, that these cowards who hide behind their Black Cats, Z security and sten gun wielding body guards, will find sacred finger placed on their vulgar mouths stilling them from uttering words that make animals of men.
That these misguided men and even women who’re now labeled terrorists will see reason and just as happened in Punjab before, that they be drawn away from using bomb and bullet and instead seek justice for what they feel is unjust through legal channels which though oftimes slow does deliver in the end.
That in dealing with political bullies, state machinery will be neutral but not paralyzed and decisions will not be based on minority or majority, nor on how many votes for or against, but on a ruthless sense of fairness, fair play and fair mindedness.
Let us pray:
That even as we pray, collectively together, raising our silent voices upwards, we will sense a calm, a peace that only God can give.
Let us take home these lines from Tennyson’s Morte de Arthur:
More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.
Please do give your response to this article in the ‘comments’ section below
Many experiences in Life give us the sense of “PROVIDENCE”.
These Prayers you have put down are that which pass through our minds fleetingly many times. Now that these are in black & white, may these be a part of our daily prayers to give all of us Indians, mental courage to go through these trying times. Congrats to you on a well written and thoughtful piece!
Yes pray we must. But not only just pray. Let us also be cautious and watchful. Let us bring to the notice of police anything we feel suspicious. At least the judiciery is still giving us a ray of hope. Because we are sure that the vote bank policies will never allow our leaders to call an axe an axe and a spade a spade. Even if someone says so, the sponcered humanists will step in and raise a hue and cry for those who kill, but mind you we have never heard their voices for those who are killed. So? well we will pray! what else can we do?
every sense and sensibility , cringes from the brutality of these mindless terror strikes, thanks for articulating so well what is on our minds.