Here’s a special gift from ReadTheSpirit on this National Day of Prayer:
It’s a prayerful reflection we all can share, today.
Best of all, it’s really an echo of prayers other Americans already have sung over many years.
Please, share this with others.
What moved us to offer this gift today?
Five things, which we’ll mention very quickly (follow ReadTheSpirit for more on these themes in coming days):
1.) Bishop N.T. Wright‘s stirring new book “Surprised by Hope,” which we profiled yesterday, calls us to think of God’s unfolding community around the world.
2.) A review copy of a gorgeous new picture book, “Lady Liberty: A Biography,” just arrived! You can pre-order it right now but the book won’t be in stores until May 13. The illustrations today are our way of saluting and recommending this inspiring new book — watch for it!
3.) A review copy of Fareed Zakaria’s important new book, “The Post-American World,” reminds all of us that our world is rapidly changing — and it’s important to recall that bright core of what America represents, when we’re at our best.
4.) Bob Dylan won an honorary Pulitzer this month.
And, 5.) We got news that Muslim visitors from the Kyrgyz Republic are visiting Michigan’s rich interfaith community to pray with others at a gathering at Congregation Shir Tikvah, 3900 Northfield Parkway in Troy, Michigan. We know that most of our readers live far from Michigan — but, if you’re in our home state tonight, this international National Day of Prayer event is open to the public.
And, so, we offer this ReadTheSpirit Gift for The National Day of Prayer.
I Hear America Praying
I hear America praying, the varied carols I hear!
The heroes and the hidden hearts, the sages and the singers,
Those praying for help; those praying to be that help today.
All singing America’s song.
Walt Whitman singing:
‘Those of mechanics — each one singing his, as it should be, blithe and strong;
‘The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank or beam …
“The delicious singing of the mother — or of the young wife at work …
“Each singing what belongs to her, and to none else.”
I hear America praying, the varied carols I hear!
Bob Dylan singing:
“Come mothers and fathers throughout the land
“And don’t criticize what you can’t understand
“Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command
“Your old road is rapidly agin’!
“Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend a hand
“For the times they are a-changin’!”
I hear America praying, the varied carols I hear!
Emma Lazarus singing:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
“Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
“The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
“Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me:
“I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
I hear America praying, the varied carols I hear!
Robert Frost singing:
“Something we were withholding made us weak
“Until we found out that it was ourselves
“We were withholding from our land of living,
“And forthwith found salvation in surrender.”
I hear America praying, the varied carols I hear!
Maya Angelou singing:
“We, this people, on this wayward, floating body
“Created on this earth, of this earth
“Have the power to fashion for this earth
“A climate where every man and every woman
“Can live freely without sanctimonious piety
“Without crippling fear.”
I hear America praying, the varied carols I hear!
Can you hear us praying, too?
The heroes and the hidden hearts, the sages and the singers,
Those praying for help; those praying to be that help today.
All singing America’s song.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK, PLEASE? You can click on the “Comment” link at the end of the online version of today’s story. Or, you can Email ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm directly.
Want to do something special today? This would be a great day to remember Interfaith Heroes around the world and, if you’ve got a nomination of a hero we should consider — this is a great day to take a look at that part of our site — and send us a nomination.
