A little prayer in Obama's absence

http://www.suntimes.com/news/steinberg/1564011,CST-NWS-stein08.article

Thursday was the National Day of Prayer, and Barack Obama, refusing to wear his faith on his sleeve, skipped the obligatory display of public piety, and of course was criticized by those keen to see their own beliefs reflected everywhere they look.

"At this time in our country's history, we would hope our president would recognize more fully the importance of prayer," said Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

I'm with you, Shirley. The president might cling to the notion that his spiritual life is not something to trot out before the cameras on demand. But I'm more than happy to rise to the occasion with this special prayer:

Oh Lord. Help people to be secure in their own beliefs so they don't need to be validated by high government officials with better things to do. Give them the humility to appreciate their rococo personal cosmologies -- whatever they may be -- without feeling compelled to force them upon others. Spare them the torment of vanity and insecurity that obviously motivates someone to tell strangers when to pray. And please, God, help them find a sense of humor, so their lives will not be as overwound and arid in actuality as they appear from the outside. Amen.

:shrug: