Prayer: Save us, Lord, from the Tyranny of Greatness
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,
Into that heaven of freedom, my father,
Let my country awaken.
THE
NIGHTMARE OF A GROWING GIRL is the benignly smiling relative – the great
man whose reputation is beyond questioning. No matter what he does with
you in his private moments, nobody believes a word against him — not
even your mother.
THE
NIGHTMARE OF A MARRIED WOMAN is the family guru – the great man with
credentials that cannot be dented. What he says becomes the law. For
decades he exploits your family, but his every word is regarded as
golden truth.
THE
NIGHTMARE OF AN HONEST WORKER is the charismatic boss – the great man to
whom all credit gravitates. He takes credit for your work, while you
carry the blame for his failings. And you hide your rage behind words of
praise for his astute management, and smile when your colleagues smile.
THE
NIGHTMARE OF A JUSTICE-SEEKER is the judge whose mask of unquestionable
authority hides a haughty and unreasoning mind. When we stand before
judges who have forgotten that their work is a humble service to
society, we all are victims whether we win or lose.
THE
NIGHTMARE OF A CITIZEN is the emperor who wears no clothes, but acts as
though he wears robes of spun gold. Nay, the nightmare of a citizen is
his own neighbours who will not speak the truth. If you dare to say,
“Your majesty, you are naked”, you will be a village fool and an
outcast. But behind everybody’s back, they will come to you one by one
and say, “Well done, well said, you are right. The emperor is indeed
naked, and he knows it full well.”
SAVE
US, LORD, FROM THE TYRANNY OF GREATNESS. Save us from those who have
greatness conferred upon them by slavish, unquestioning people.
SAVE
US FROM THE TYRANNY OF SYCOPHANTS who surround and poison all leaders
with their convincing lies. Like a poisonous slime, they corrode the
body and soul of our nation.
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit,
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awaken.
LET
IT BE, LORD, THAT EACH OF US MUST EARN OUR REPUTATIONS EVERY DAY BY
GENUINE ACTIONS. Let no man’s reputation stand like a fortress on the
glories of yesteryears. Let each of us stand scrutiny in the questioning
eyes of our fellow man. Give us the humility to be called to answer for
our actions every day.
IF WE
ERR, WE MUST FALL; BY OUR ACTIONS ALONE, WE MUST RISE AGAIN. Bless us,
Lord, that there are no exceptions; no one is too mighty to fall; no one
is too condemned to rise again.
LET
NO ONE BE MISLED BY GREAT PEOPLE whose love of gold, comfort and power
hides behind genteel mannerisms, carefully practiced expressions and the
fortresses of reputations built by slavish followers. Give us the eyes
to see beyond.
LET
NOT THE UGLINESS OF POVERTY HIDE ANYONE’S ESSENTIAL GOODNESS. Give us
the eyes to see beyond. Let every man, woman and child get from us what
they deserve; bless us Lord, that our hands do not withhold what must be
given, and our tongues do not withhold the truth.
WHEN
WE LOOK IN THE MIRROR, LORD, BLESS US THAT WE SEE OUR TRUE FACES. Give
us the eyes to see what we do not wish to see. Help us recognize our own
subtle lies and duplicity.
GIVE
US THE STRENGTH TO WOUND OURSELVES. Steady our hands and help us cut the
falsehood from our beating hearts. And help us, Lord, to heal and
become whole again. Help us to love and accept ourselves again.
WE –
EACH ONE OF US — ARE THE WORST AND THE BEST IN THIS NATION. I am the
worst, the most downtrodden, the sickest of them all. And I am the best,
the most glorious. I am all of it, my nation beats with a living heart
within my body of flesh and blood. My father, help me heal my body. Make
me whole again.
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high,
Into that heaven of freedom, my father,
Let my nation awaken.
Krish
9821588114
thebravepedestrian@gmail.com
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