Get High On Life: Prayer for sons says much of dads
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 12, 2002
By HAROLD KELLER
Shortly after Get High on Life’s Memorial Day Breakfast, I received a letter from Mrs. Emily Guidry of Reserve saying that it was one of the most inspiring and emotionally-moving events that she had ever attended. She shared that while looking through a book of her favorite poems, she found a prayer written by Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur to his son. It appeared as an Associated Press release in 1964.
Mrs. Guidry said that she thought it was especially timely as Father’s Day approaches and wanted to share it with me. Please allow me to share it with you:
“Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee – and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm, here let him learn compassion for those who fail. Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goal will be high, a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men, who will reach in to the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain.”
According to the general’s biographer and confidant, Maj. Gen. Courtney Whitney, the family repeated this MacArthur credo many times during early morning devotions.
I hope this article will inspire all fathers to pray the same prayer for their sons.
HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at (985) 652-8477 or write to P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084.