Sterling Terrell

recovering economist

Remembering Simple Prayers

Remembering Simple Prayers

How I enjoy children remembering simple prayers of their parents and other close relatives and friends.

  • Such a simple act.
  • Done for a simple reason.
  • Remembered in a simple way.

I think that is beautiful.

I looked through my small living room into the dining room, where Papa’s portrait hangs. I could see him at the oval table, head bowed, praying: “Lord, bless the Queen; we thank You for this beautiful Lord’s Day and for the promise of Your soon coming. Thank You for this food and for this family. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

–Corrie Ten Boom, In My Father’s House

The One Prayer Of Every Parent

The One Prayer Of Every Parent

The one prayer of every parent is this: “Please, please let them outlive me.”

I mean, parents pray for a lot of other things too, I know I do.

But, I have heard that the loss of a child is about as bad as it gets.

None of us even want to imagine.

“When I held Sam alone for the first time, after Steve and Pammy had gone home the night that he was born, I was nursing him and feeling really spiritual, thinking, Please, please, God, help him be someone who feels compassion, who feels God’s presence loose in the world, who doesn’t give up on peace and justice and mercy for everyone. And then one second later I was begging, Okay, skip all that shit, forget it—just please, please let him outlive me.”

–Anne Lamott, Operating Instructions
Sterling Terrell