Before we begin every monthly meeting as members of the Board in Willow Park Junior School someone is nominated by the Chairman to compose and read out a short prayer or reflection. This month Father Tom Hogan read out a prayer entitled Children composed by the unlikeliest of people – General Douglas MacArthur.
General Douglas MacArthur had a very successful career in the American army and was promoted several times. MacArthur proved himself to be an outstanding military leader and a brave soldier. He often fought on the front lines with his soldiers and earned several awards for bravery. By the end of the war he had been promoted to General. A larger-than-life, controversial figure, MacArthur was talented, outspoken and, in the eyes of many, selfish. However, after many years of fighting and witnessing the horrors of War, he penned this remarkable prayer adapted by Fr. Tom Hogan entitled ‘Children’.
Grant us children, O Lord
Who will be strong enough to know when they are weak;
Who will be unbending in honest defeat,
Yet humble and gentle in victory.
Grant us children
whose wishes will not take the place of their deeds,
children who will know you and know themselves.
Lead them, we pray you,
Not in the path of ease and comfort,
But rather in the path of difficulties and challenges.
Grant us children,
Whose hearts will be clear, whose goals will be high.
Children who will master themselves
Before seeking to master others
And after all these things, add we pray, a sense of humour,
So that they can be serious,
Yet never take themselves too seriously.
Give them the humility and simplicity of true greatness.
Then we, their parents, will dare whisper,
we have not lived in vain.