Monday, October 1, 2012
Thank You This Day
If you are familiar with the Christian faith, you might have run across the Lord’s Prayer. This is the prayer Jesus taught his followers. One line in the prayer is usually translated “Give us this day our daily bread.” This petition has long bothered me. Let me explain.
Just before he offers this prayer, Jesus reassures his followers that God knows what they need before they ask. Later, he points out that the birds do not till the soil and yet are fed; the lilies of the field do not spin and yet are gloriously clothed. I don’t think he is suggesting that we all sit around watching TV, waiting for food and clothes to magically appear. What he is suggesting, indeed what he says outright, is to “not be anxious about your life.” What Jesus teaches is to trust God.
The Tao Te Ching teaches a similar lesson. “The truly good man does nothing, yet leaves nothing undone.” Like Jesus, Lao Tsu is not suggesting sloth, but rather a non-ego approach to life, an approach based not in fear but in faith, faith in the Tao, or the Way.
Buddhism reflects this in the concepts of Right Thought, Right Effort, Right Action, and in trusting in the basic goodness of the universe.
I would love to hear from Hindu and Muslim readers about similar concepts.
And even beyond specific faith traditions, we see this idea reflected in Einstein’s observation about choosing whether to see the universe as hostile or friendly. I choose the latter.
And so, if I choose to believe in the basic goodness of the universe, and I do, then why would I need to ask for my daily bread?
When I wake up every morning, it is my habit to say a prayer just as I am coming into consciousness. Because my brain is still fuzzy, it is easier to say a prayer from habit. I often choose the Lord’s Prayer, but with a few modifications. Instead of praying “Give us this day our daily bread,” I pray “Thank you this day for our daily bread.”
It’s a small change, but with a big impact. I start my day in faith that all will be well. This is true even if on the surface it might not seem that way to me. I have faith that all things work together for good. I start my day in gratitude.
How do you start your day? Do you have any prayers or habits or routines that get your day off to a good start?
related post: For Today, Newly Bright
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I too start my day just thanking the Lord for giving me yet another beautiful day. It always starts with gratitude Galen.
ReplyDeleteI know in my hearts of hearts that He has been kind and I know that when I see my kids up and about, and I see my surroundings just as they were. It feels so nice to be alive once again. It is so magical if we think about it, and it's all due to His grace.
Thanks for sharing and reminding us to always be grateful :)
Harleena, Gratitude is a great way to start and end the day. Every day is a precious gift. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteLove this, Galen... I start each morning with a thank you and a smile... and close each day with the same.
ReplyDeleteI made that promise to me ... that no matter what the hey happened between when I woke up and when I went to bed.... I intend to be thankful. Certainly not the death of someone or something but the fact that I survived whatever happened.
I think the universe or whatever one chooses to believe is bigger than they ... likes to be thanked .. I know I do.
I know beyond a doubt the Universe is friendly.... why wouldn't it be... nature is full of peace and harmony ... symbiosis personified
Carolyn, I appreciate your attitude of being grateful in all circumstance. Not necessarily "for" all circumstance, but "in" all circumstances. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteLovely post! I am in the process of creating routines to give my life more structure and, most importantly, to remind myself of the meaningful things in life. I have started reading a short devotional when I first wake up. It puts my thinking on a positive path.
ReplyDeleteTina, You are right that when we make certain practices our habits, they become part of the daily rhythm of our lives. I like to read and meditate in the morning after I get up. As you say, it is a great way to start the day. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI'm so glad I stopped by. Lately, I jump from bed, head for the back door to let out the dogs, and proceed with my day. How did I let that happen? I know to awaken with a prayer, a good thought, gratitude, makes for a wonderful start of day. Thanks for this reminder. I do though, end each day with prayerful gratitude.
ReplyDeleteMyrna, Me, too. Sometimes when I have to get up early, I jump up and skip my usual morning routine of prayer and meditation. I still wake up with a short prayer, but when I take a few extra minutes to meditate, my day is off to a wonderful start. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteWonderful reflection, Galen! Yes, Jesus does want us to live a life of faith, not fear, trusting that God will provide, and being thankful for everything we have.
ReplyDeleteHow do I start my day? Until that first cup of coffee, I'm not good for much! :) It's after I've had the first sips and my head begins to clear when I thank the Lord for another wonderful day.
Blessings, my friend!
Martha, Yes, that is true about Jesus's teaching. The Old Testament is also full of songs and prayers of gratitude. I meant to mention that in the post but I forgot! Anyway, you can thank God for coffee! Thanks for your comment.
DeleteThanks for sharing Galen. I think about it in the sense that God is everywhere. If god is indeed everywhere, then we just need to try to realize that and live life that way:) If God is everywhere and in everything, we would react completely differently to people and the world. Instead of throwing a donut out the window towards someone who cut us off in traffic, we would laugh at how amusing God was or be grateful to God to helping us be more alert.
ReplyDeleteYes, like Martha, my day begins with gratitude as well. Just the simple things are great things! Good health and family, and doing what we want to do in life is a dream by itself:)
Vishnu, I love your traffic distinction, a vivid example of the same event from two very different perspectives. I'd like to know how you maintain this perspective in the midst of an election campaign. Any special techniques??
DeleteTricky Galen:) But I think the goal is to focus on the opposition's policies and issues; not on their personality or character. And not to run mean-spirited campaigns.
DeleteVishnu, I imagine even with that simple basic approach, it can get tricky indeed. Good for you for bringing such an approach into the current political atmosphere.
DeleteI begin my day by lighting the lamp and offering a cup of freshly boiled milk with sugar at the altar, followed by a prayer of thanks. I love the quotes you mentioned, Galen. As a matter of habit, I automatically recite "Hail Marys" and "Our Father who art in heaven" along with my slokas, out of habit.:-)(since I schooled in Christian schools until Grade 10) Hindus generally believe in Destiny and Karma - that things are preordained to happen. While the belief in God's powers are great, naturally praying for better results in the exams must be accompanied by studying for them :-)
ReplyDeleteHugs. Love, Vidya
Vidya, What a beautiful ritual. I love the way you blend different faiths. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteVery nice. I need to be more mindful of how I start my day.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Dan Garner
http://ZenPresence.co
Dan, There is a Buddhist practice, I think, that Pema Chodron describes as one at the beginning, one at the end. The idea is beginning and ending the day with a chosen aspiration or intention. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteLately, I've been adding the phrase, "Avenge us against our adversaries", as the woman petitioning the corrupt judge did. Not seeking a vengeance, but that Jesus would protect us with His justice.
ReplyDeleteCW, That is an interesting addition. As a lawyer, my career was based on the concept of justice. However, I found that mercy often brought more peace to my soul. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteI know the value of starting the day with a prayer. However, at times, like Myrna, the dog wakes me up and the day starts off in a rush. Then I head straight for that cup of coffee like Martha.
ReplyDeleteTalking about altering prayers, I remember a young cousin of mine saying grace before meals: "Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts which we are BOUND (about) to receive." Talk about taking the Lord for granted! ;)
Corinne, I love that story! Reminds me of my daughter who, as a child, sang the Christmas carol refrain "Rejoice, rejoice..." as "New toys, new toys..." I love your young cousin's faith! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteAs you may have heard, with God, all things are parseable. I looked up some of the etymology of the words of the original, to meditate upon their meaning more deeply.
ReplyDeleteThis well-loved prayer begins with a glorification, because that's how a Kaddish begins, a doxology rabbis use to close a midrash or separate parts of a prayer service. The word in the original that has been translated as "daily bread" in English is fascinating to scholars because it is unique, not only in the Bible but in all of Greek literature. It appears one time only. In a sense, it's an invented word with associative contextual meaning (like "treasurest", for example). The word is Epiousios ( επιούσιος ).
Most literally speaking, the word means "above substance, daily-future". Give us our above substance? Not so clear. Through successive translations and interpretations into Latin and later German, then English, the refinement to "daily bread" was chosen. However, "future bread" is just as accurate.
I'm all about symbolic resonance myself. I think it's a request, a plea, to God to help us have enough "above substance" today to be able to continue living, to have a future.
Mikey, Thanks for your informative addition to the discussion! I wonder if the "Give us" part is subject to different interpretations, as the "daily bread" is. Now you have me thinking more deeply, too. Thank you!
DeleteI start my day in prayer and meditation also and I find it very reassuring way to start fresh and new. I change the Lord's Prayer also...Our Creator and today I said, may I be open to receiving my daily bread.... It is good to memorize those things as a child, and equally as good for me to make modifications as my understanding grows. Good words today.
ReplyDeleteI put up a book review this week that I think your readers would enjoy very much and there is a giveaway for a commenter also of a free copy of the book...The novel in short stories is about how an historic event can change lives and spread out the loss and recovery over generations...
here's the link http://patriciaswisdom.com/2012/09/what-the-zhang-boys-know-clifford-garstang/
Excuse me for the promotion, but this book so reaches out and compliments your writing.
I purchased your book today as I get back into town...and think I will purchase several more copies for friends birthdays...Thank you for you nice words...Bravo!
Patricia, Thanks for sharing your morning ritual, and for mentioning your book review. And thanks for buying my book--I hope you like it!
DeleteHere is a comment from Gita Umesh--
ReplyDeleteHi Galen,
The Bhagawad Gita is a sacred book of the Hindus. The often repeated verse from the Gita carries a very profound truth.
"karmanye vadhika raste
ma phaleshu kadachana
ma karma phala hetu bhurba
te sangostav karmani"
In English translation:
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action। Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.
To do your best without being attached to the fruit of your action but to accept life as it comes is one of the profoundest message of the Hindu religion taught through the philosophy of the Gita.
With love and prayers,
gita
Thanks, Gita, for sharing this lovely verse from the Bhagawad Gita. It harmonizes beautifully with similar teachings from other faiths.
DeleteHi Galen,
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I love hearing what everyone has to say. There is a Quaker saying that all religions are on different hills reaching for the same star. I also love this Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Thanks for a great post!
Betsy, The Serenity Prayer is at the heart of Step 3 about giving up the delusion of control. I love this prayer and use it often! Thanks for your comment.
DeleteThese were beautiful thoughts of faith and hope. I love the Lord's prayer. I note that different faiths look at things the same in many aspects. Most faiths do have a trust and love in something. I don't know what I would do without the gift of prayer. I find great comfort in knowing that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and knows my needs. I trust in him. Sometimes, I just have a prayer of total heartfelt gratitude for how deeply I am blessed each day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
LeAnn, So true about the common principles and practices in many faiths. And prayer of gratitude always brings joy. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI always start my Day with a short Gratitude Prayer of "Lord, Thank You for this Day." Just waking up and having another Day of Life is reason enough to Rejoice... what I then choose to do with that Day & what it holds is up to me...
ReplyDeleteDawn... The Bohemian
Dawn, I think that is the most important prayer we can pray. A simple thank you can be prayed anytime and anywhere. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteHello Galen, We've crossed paths many times from Annabel Candy's blog to Bob Lowry's. I finally made it over here and I'm glad I did.
ReplyDeleteI usually begin each day with a prayer I learned from Marianne Williamson's book Illuminata...
Thank You God for this new day,
It's beauty and it's light.
Thank You for the chance to begin again,
and to share your love and light with all I meet.
Whenever life gets crazy I take a step back and usually realize I've been lax in gratitude. It definitely makes all the difference.
b
Barbara, I need to get back over to Annabel's blog. Thanks for reminding me! And thanks for sharing that lovely prayer. You are right about the effect that gratitude can have on us when we get stressed and frazzled. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteSince I don't believe in time, I simply live my life. My only routines are related to physical fitness, and I vary those. I am grateful for my life - always.
ReplyDeleteGalen: email me about your wonderful book. I finished it.
JJ, Gratitude is all we need. Thanks for supporting my book project. I'm grateful!
DeleteWonderful post. You left me with lots to think about. We start our day at sunrise. Everyone in the house prays our morning prayer together. We praise and thank God for all that we are thankful for. Then we all go on with our day. Some return to bed.(that would be the young ones)
ReplyDeleteBonnie, A belated thank you for this comment! I like the idea of a family prayer together in the morning. Lovely tradition.
DeleteGave me lots to think about, I do not start the day with any sort of prayer or ritual gave me something to think about...I am however very grateful for my life, happy most days with simple little things (hot coffee,sparkling water,a txt from my loved ones)
ReplyDeletelita, Gratitude is a prayer, I think. Thanks for commenting.
Deletei always thank God almighty for protecting my family, my mother, my sisters and brother and my entire family ( hubby and my two lovely kids ) and work and his work and the entire world. sometimes its not easy but its worthy it
ReplyDelete