A beautiful, loving prayer by Sister Jean A. Stevens, the first woman to pray in General Conference in recorded history! Following wonderful, Jesus-full talks by George A Cardon and Henry B. Eyring, it was a wonderful cap to this morning's session, and balm upon my irritation over intolerance, "stolen" virtue and chastity, gender roles, and vacuuming.
<3
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
The prayer of a Prop 8 defector
To the Father I know, to the Mother for whom I reach, to the Savior I accept, I send these words.
Thank you sincerely for the wonderful people you've put into my path. My friends, my neighbors, my brother: for each and every one I thank you, and their reflections of your love in my life. Thank you for my loving brother, for his awesome husband, and for all those who have supported, loved, and accepted them through all these years that my family foolishly did not, and when I was too afraid to stand up for them. Grant me the courage to ask their stories, to know them better, and to accept them completely.
Forgive me of my blind acceptance of the status quo. Forgive me my pious bigotry and loving ignorance, the walls behind which I hid and believed they preserved the purity of my soul. I didn't understand that those walls were built of dross, built to be burned in the refiner's fire, burned to reveal to me the true nature of your love. Forgive me for not listening to my inner voice that dared to disagree.
Help my parents understand. Help them be at peace. Help their friends at church understand. Shield them from feeling the shame of a "wayward" daughter. They've done nothing but try to honor and obey your commands in the way that they've understood. Help them honor any courage I display with my convictions, even if they don't agree with me.
Grant me the grace to make my case with calm and peace, Christ-like love and compassion. Help my mind to be clear, that I may discern as pure a Truth as is possible for my mortal mind to comprehend. Help my heart to grow to encompass all the human family that I may be more like you.
Thank you for your loving kindness. May we understand you more fully in our hearts and in our Church and in our lives. This I pray in the name of the Savior.
Amen.
...and a little woman.
P.S.: My readers here on Earth should go read this op-ed by Brad Carmack that was publish in the Salt Lake Tribune today. It is quite excellent on this subject, and it gave me the little nudge I needed to finish this post after shelving it for several weeks.
Thank you sincerely for the wonderful people you've put into my path. My friends, my neighbors, my brother: for each and every one I thank you, and their reflections of your love in my life. Thank you for my loving brother, for his awesome husband, and for all those who have supported, loved, and accepted them through all these years that my family foolishly did not, and when I was too afraid to stand up for them. Grant me the courage to ask their stories, to know them better, and to accept them completely.
Forgive me of my blind acceptance of the status quo. Forgive me my pious bigotry and loving ignorance, the walls behind which I hid and believed they preserved the purity of my soul. I didn't understand that those walls were built of dross, built to be burned in the refiner's fire, burned to reveal to me the true nature of your love. Forgive me for not listening to my inner voice that dared to disagree.
Help my parents understand. Help them be at peace. Help their friends at church understand. Shield them from feeling the shame of a "wayward" daughter. They've done nothing but try to honor and obey your commands in the way that they've understood. Help them honor any courage I display with my convictions, even if they don't agree with me.
Grant me the grace to make my case with calm and peace, Christ-like love and compassion. Help my mind to be clear, that I may discern as pure a Truth as is possible for my mortal mind to comprehend. Help my heart to grow to encompass all the human family that I may be more like you.
Thank you for your loving kindness. May we understand you more fully in our hearts and in our Church and in our lives. This I pray in the name of the Savior.
Amen.
...and a little woman.
P.S.: My readers here on Earth should go read this op-ed by Brad Carmack that was publish in the Salt Lake Tribune today. It is quite excellent on this subject, and it gave me the little nudge I needed to finish this post after shelving it for several weeks.
Friday, September 30, 2011
An extra day of prayer
I went to bed last night realizing that tomorrow starts the main body of Conference. (I consider Relief Society and Young Women's Conferences to be part of the body of General Conference, just like Priesthood Session, in spite of the week between them.) I went to bed last night praying that the veil would be lifted from Mother's face. I woke this morning to pray again for understanding to come forth this weekend. I may or may not Fast. I probably should, I just don't know if it's feasible for me today. However, I will not stop praying. (Praying is a free action. /nerd joke)
Every day, I dress to honor God. Today I will also dress to honor Goddess.
Every day, I act in and by the name of God. Today, I will also act in and by the name of Goddess, that those I encounter will feel some part of Her love. I will do what I can to fill the need for a "Mother in a Motherless house."
Every day, I carry God in the song of my heart. Today, I will also carry Goddess in the music I play and the music I sing, that Her voice might be heard in the world.
I give thanks to God and Goddess for the inspiration for this Fast, for the growth it has brought me, and the journey I am on. I give thanks for the people with me on this journey and their kind words and support. I pray for the courage to share it with more people I know.
My hope is high, though the voice of my faith sounds a little shaky in my own ears. I know it may not come this weekend--that ultimately, I believe it is up to our Parents' timing, no matter what skeptics and naysayers would say about patriarchy and suppression--but I do believe it will come. I just pray that if my small efforts can be worth anything this weekend, they will be.
Please pray with me today.
Every day, I dress to honor God. Today I will also dress to honor Goddess.
Every day, I act in and by the name of God. Today, I will also act in and by the name of Goddess, that those I encounter will feel some part of Her love. I will do what I can to fill the need for a "Mother in a Motherless house."
Every day, I carry God in the song of my heart. Today, I will also carry Goddess in the music I play and the music I sing, that Her voice might be heard in the world.
I give thanks to God and Goddess for the inspiration for this Fast, for the growth it has brought me, and the journey I am on. I give thanks for the people with me on this journey and their kind words and support. I pray for the courage to share it with more people I know.
My hope is high, though the voice of my faith sounds a little shaky in my own ears. I know it may not come this weekend--that ultimately, I believe it is up to our Parents' timing, no matter what skeptics and naysayers would say about patriarchy and suppression--but I do believe it will come. I just pray that if my small efforts can be worth anything this weekend, they will be.
Please pray with me today.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Mother's Day every month: A fast for testimony
In the midst of this upwelling I've personally observed, this increased interest in God the Mother that seems to be gaining more momentum of late and the increasing pursuit of the Divine Feminine in Christianity over all, I've started thinking that we're possibly--even probably--being prepared to receive new revelation regarding Goddess our Mother. It has been a long time coming, as great steps forward usually are.
The Children of Israel wandered 40 years in the wilderness to begin their process from a slave mentality to that of a free people able and willing to stand on their own feet, spiritually and physically.
The lightbulb took nearly 80 years from Sir Humphry Davy's first platinum filament to Thomas Edison's long lasting filament and the revolutionary system that would make electric lighting accessible and viable for a larger scale.
The United States was approximately 300 years in the making from discovery of a new continent (attribute it to whom you will) to the Declaration of Independence. The Restoration of the fullness of the Gospel took almost the same amount of time and in almost the same time frame (using Martin Luther's 95 Theses as a landmark for the beginning of the process, though the Gutenberg Bible would be a worthy starting point as well) and required a massive shift in Western thought (the Enlightenment) to come about in the way that we know it.
If indeed, as Latter Day Saints we do "believe that [God] will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom" it is far from unreasonable to believe that greater light and deeper knowledge are on the way. It is also reasonable, given historical precedent, that it is important for us to ask for it. Very little major revelation comes forth spontaneously. God often waits for us to show readiness, worthiness, and willingness to listen and to receive.
So. Let's ask.
What if we, as a group of Her children who yearn for knowledge of our Mother, set aside an extra "fast Sunday" every month to fast and pray for that knowledge to come? Let us pray that definitive information about Her nature and duties will be revealed; that our leaders will be inspired to ask as well, and then be given the words to speak of Her forthrightly and openly; that the veil will be lifted to reveal the face of our Goddess; that Her daughters will be given solid information about their potential in the eternities, not only as mothers, but as divine beings of power and glory. I would suggest we do this as a unit on the third Sunday of each month, to give ample time between regular Fast Sundays for "rest" and reflection, though anyone is welcome to do so as it is convenient for them. I believe the intent of joining together and proving to the Lord that we hold this matter sacred enough to sacrifice as a people and raise our voices to Him is more important than perfect synchronicity.
I know this will feel very controversial--even dangerous or blasphemous--to many of my fellow faithful members of the Church, and I very much appreciate that. I know there has been a feeling among us that we ought not to touch this subject at all, and indeed I have felt that weight very recently, myself. I would encourage us all to remember the cherished fifth verse of James chapter one (which I alter only to include us all explicitly):
By application of this verse, we received knowledge of the Father and the Son, and if indeed Mother is as eternal a truth as her husband and son, we have nothing to fear from a sincere prayer for revelation. The worst we can get in response from the Lord is "Have patience, be faithful; It is not yet time for you to know." However, perhaps it is time, and He awaits our request. Study and ponder the matter in your own heart, and if you feel so inclined, I invite you to join your faith with mine and others as we seek knowledge from our God. If it is the Lord's will, He will make it know. If it is not, I do not believe He will fault us for asking.
My hope is that we will fast and pray monthly as a group for at least one year, or until our prayers are answered at an official Church-wide level such as a Conference talk by the Prophet this October or next April, or an official Proclamation or Declaration. As we take this journey together, I welcome your stories and comments.
EDIT: As this post becomes maybe less apparent as time goes on, don't forget that you can link people to the stationary Page about the Fast.
The Children of Israel wandered 40 years in the wilderness to begin their process from a slave mentality to that of a free people able and willing to stand on their own feet, spiritually and physically.
The lightbulb took nearly 80 years from Sir Humphry Davy's first platinum filament to Thomas Edison's long lasting filament and the revolutionary system that would make electric lighting accessible and viable for a larger scale.
The United States was approximately 300 years in the making from discovery of a new continent (attribute it to whom you will) to the Declaration of Independence. The Restoration of the fullness of the Gospel took almost the same amount of time and in almost the same time frame (using Martin Luther's 95 Theses as a landmark for the beginning of the process, though the Gutenberg Bible would be a worthy starting point as well) and required a massive shift in Western thought (the Enlightenment) to come about in the way that we know it.
If indeed, as Latter Day Saints we do "believe that [God] will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom" it is far from unreasonable to believe that greater light and deeper knowledge are on the way. It is also reasonable, given historical precedent, that it is important for us to ask for it. Very little major revelation comes forth spontaneously. God often waits for us to show readiness, worthiness, and willingness to listen and to receive.
So. Let's ask.
What if we, as a group of Her children who yearn for knowledge of our Mother, set aside an extra "fast Sunday" every month to fast and pray for that knowledge to come? Let us pray that definitive information about Her nature and duties will be revealed; that our leaders will be inspired to ask as well, and then be given the words to speak of Her forthrightly and openly; that the veil will be lifted to reveal the face of our Goddess; that Her daughters will be given solid information about their potential in the eternities, not only as mothers, but as divine beings of power and glory. I would suggest we do this as a unit on the third Sunday of each month, to give ample time between regular Fast Sundays for "rest" and reflection, though anyone is welcome to do so as it is convenient for them. I believe the intent of joining together and proving to the Lord that we hold this matter sacred enough to sacrifice as a people and raise our voices to Him is more important than perfect synchronicity.
I know this will feel very controversial--even dangerous or blasphemous--to many of my fellow faithful members of the Church, and I very much appreciate that. I know there has been a feeling among us that we ought not to touch this subject at all, and indeed I have felt that weight very recently, myself. I would encourage us all to remember the cherished fifth verse of James chapter one (which I alter only to include us all explicitly):
If any of you lack wisdom, let him or her ask of God, who giveth to all men and women liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given them.
By application of this verse, we received knowledge of the Father and the Son, and if indeed Mother is as eternal a truth as her husband and son, we have nothing to fear from a sincere prayer for revelation. The worst we can get in response from the Lord is "Have patience, be faithful; It is not yet time for you to know." However, perhaps it is time, and He awaits our request. Study and ponder the matter in your own heart, and if you feel so inclined, I invite you to join your faith with mine and others as we seek knowledge from our God. If it is the Lord's will, He will make it know. If it is not, I do not believe He will fault us for asking.
My hope is that we will fast and pray monthly as a group for at least one year, or until our prayers are answered at an official Church-wide level such as a Conference talk by the Prophet this October or next April, or an official Proclamation or Declaration. As we take this journey together, I welcome your stories and comments.
EDIT: As this post becomes maybe less apparent as time goes on, don't forget that you can link people to the stationary Page about the Fast.
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