bonniedouglas.com - Inspiration

And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? - Matthew 5:47

“Each of us is a unique strand in the intricate web of life and here to make a contribution.”
― Deepak Chopra

"America is nothing if it consists merely of each of us; it is something only if it consists of all of us." - Woodrow Wilson, in a speech in Pittsburgh (January 29, 1916)

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." —former President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. Citizenship in a Republic is the title of the speech given at the Sorbonne in Paris, France on April 23, 1910.

The Harry Potter Prayer

Almighty God, we praise you for creating all things in your image: muggles and wizards, beasts and humans, the magical and the mundane.

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts. Remind us that our hope does not lie in philosopher's stones or deathly hallows, but only in your hallowed name.

Merciful God, teach us to walk humbly. We confess that we often raise our wands at the evil we see in the world, ignoring the darkness lurking in ourselves.

Forgive us for creating social systems that marginalize and oppress. Stir our hearts to build relationships with house elves, muggles, squibs, and all who are made vulnerable by injustice. Give us courage to advocate on their behalf, confronting those who would exclude them from our communities.

As we thirst for justice, let us not resort to the unforgivable curses of violence and oppression. Remind us of a power beyond our own, a power beyond the reach of any magic.

God of Truth, you've taught us that the world cannot be divided into good people and Death Eaters. For whether we are sorted into Slytherin or Gryffindor, we are all in need of grace; our foreheads bear the searing scars of our own brokenness.

Yet, according to your mercy, no one is ever beyond redemption; help will always be given to those who ask. As you have shown mercy to us, teach us to show mercy to our enemies and the friends who've betrayed us.

Thank you for establishing your kingdom here in the wizarding world-an upside down kingdom where infants disarm dark lords, the foolish speak truth, and those who gain power are those who don't seek it. Thy kingdom come.

Amen.

Information on the Origin of the Harry Potter Prayer.

Betsy Shirley writes: Though I like a rousing round of ave maria's as much as the next person, the past few centuries of church prayer trends have eschewed Latin in favor of the vernacular - that is, the language of the people. And to the tune of 450 million copies in more than 70 translations (and counting), it's clear that people the world around speak the language of Harry Potter. Or rather, the story of Harry Potter speaks to them.

So as I watched the final Hogwarts Express depart from Platform 9¾ in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II this past weekend (slightly teary-eyed, I confess), I started to wonder: What might it sound like to pray in the language of Harry Potter - language that clearly resonates with folks around the world? Would it be cheesy? Probably. Profane? Perhaps. But I figured the God who relied on earthly parables about wineskins and fig trees to explain the Kingdom would understand.

All that to say, if the Harry Potter saga has struck a chord with you, here's a prayer in your language. (And if you can think of a better Harry Potter prayer, by all means, add your own).

[origin: Sojourners]