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A BENGALI PRAYER

That You protect me in danger--
    this is not my prayer;
Let me not know fear
    when in danger.

I do not ask You to comfort me
    in the heat of sadness,
    in an arching state of mind;
Make me victorious
    over sadness.

Let not my strength break down
    when I find myself without a refuge;
If I suffer any worldly loss,
    if I am repeatedly frustrated,
    let me not consider this harm irreparable.

That you come to save me--
    this is not my prayer;
I ask for
    strength to overcome.

You need not comfort me
    by lightening my load;
I ask for strength
    to carry my burden.

On days of joy, with humble head,
    I will remember You, I will recognize You.
On a dark, sad night, full of frustrations,
    O then may I not doubt You!
 
(Gitanjali No. 4 by Rubindranath Tagore,
translated by Brother James Tallarovic, CSC,
Dhaka, Bangladesh)

ACTIONS
1. Talk with others who also feel discouraged by recent events. It is in community that we find strength to continue the struggle.
2. Figure out some small activity you can do to overcome feelings of powerlessness: join a vigil for peace, write a letter to the editor, send a little money to some group, share this bulletin with others.
3. Refuse to allow yourself to continue to feel alone and isolated; that's what they want you to feel.
4. Ponder Dan Berrigan's words: I'm not optimistic but I'm hopeful.