An Honest Prayer: It is a rare find, the honest prayer, one spoken with truth, and felt in the heart. The faux prayer, the pompous, arrogant prayer, the proper prayer, the spiteful prayer, the hollow prayer - these are easy to find, even without searching, and number beyond any calculator's numerical capabilities. But the honest prayer, when found, or prayed, offers a strange, alien power not found in these other breeds of 'prayer'.

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Let me be humble, let me recognize that I am inherently flawed, lacking all worthy virtues, and alone utterly without purpose or meaning. I am nothing. From dust I came, and to dust I shall return. Whenever I should entertain dreams of grandeur for myself, let me remember that I too hold within myself the worst atrocities of mankind. . .

Remind me that though I am tarnished and imperfect, a creature more feral than with soul, that I am loved, however undeserving it may be. Remind me that though I share the worst of humanity, I too may rejoice and be glad in the simple kindnesses oft forgotten.

Remind me that though I am fragile and weak, cowardly and afraid of the dark, that there is light in the darkest night, and there is courage to be found in the faintest of hearts. Remind me that though my own heart is brittle, and scarred with old anger and hatred and sorrows untold, that I too have the capacity to love.

"For your sorrows are mine; I bear them a thousand times. Each affliction is a scourge unto my heart and mind, my body and hands. With each one murdered in the name of justice, in the name of God, I too am murdered, dying another death. Your pain is mine; your agony tortures me when I think I am safe. Your fears consume me; your hatred suffocates me. You feel nothing but I feel it ten thousand times.

I am the murderer and the victim at once; this truth cannot be denied. When you hurt another, I have hurt him. When you are hurt, I too suffer. Your tears are mine. When you are lost, I too fumble in the dark. I feel at times that I am nothing but a reflection of you - your best and worst mirrored in my own psyche.

For your joys are mine; I rejoice in them a thousand times. Each blessing is a pathway for my feet to tread upon, my eyes to follow the trail of light. With each one given hope, and with each one loved and encouraged, I too am uplifted, my soul given new life. Your love is mine; your affection embraces me when I am most afraid. Your courage strengthens me; your service and kindness inspire me. You feel nothing but I feel it ten thousand times.