And man said, "Let there be war. . ."

I think part of good writing is not only writing what someone else will read, but recognizing the need to share something by another author, and so, today before the State of Union address, I must share an interesting perspective from a writer with whom many of us are familiar, but usually associate with humor. Mark Twain recorded an interesting perspective to prayer; the fullness and the many unmentioned results of the request made before the throne of The Almighty, in asking for Victory. This was not published until after his death, because in his own words, he stated. "I have told the truth in that, and only dead men can tell the truth in this world." I found this in the book called The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain, edited by Alex Ayres, published by Meridian, as well as many links on the Internet.

This request for Victory, Mr. Twain entitled, "The War Prayer"

"O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle -- be Thou near them! With them -- in spirit -- we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe.

O Lord our G~d, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead: help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander the unfriended wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it- For our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it in the spirit of love, of him who is the Source of Love, and who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all who are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.

And God said, Let there be light . . .