Donald Miller

I must admit, I didn't come up with this blog on my own. "(Har)Monica" posted about it and I thought I'd follow suit because it was awesome.

Donald Miller, one of my favorite authors, gave the closing prayer at the Democratic National Convention. It's a great prayer and I thought I'd share it here. He'll probably update the info on his home page in a day or two, so if you check this and the link doesn't lead you to something about the DNC, then check out this video, too.



And for those of you who would prefer not to point and click, here's the transcript of the prayer:

"Father God,

This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.

We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.

We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.

Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.

Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.

Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.

Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.

Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.

Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.

We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.

Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.

A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.

Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.

Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.

Lastly, father, unify us.

Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.

And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.

God we know that you are good.

Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.

I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.

Let Him be our example.

Amen."

Well played, Miller, well played!! He's a great writer AND he lives in Portland, OR, possibly one of the most beautiful places in all the land, and also home to my cousin, her boyfriend, my aunt, and several college friends. PORTLAND REPRESENT!! Three cheers to one of the places that's way ahead of the rest of us when it comes to organic food, an abundance of the color green, recycling and just generally caring about this big ole earth on which we live. HURRAH!!