We're the agents of change

I previously shared these words of Jack Riemer as part of an invocation for a university commencement I was privileged to join. My hope that day was that they might encourage those in attendance to be agents of positive change. For the religious-minded among us, this poem represents an attitude about the efficacy of prayer, that prayer is only actualized by what we do. For the atheist, this offering reminds us of the power of human artistic expression, no matter the inspiration.

We cannot merely pray to God to end war;
For the world was made in such a way
That we must find our own path of peace
Within ourselves and with our neighbor.
 
We cannot merely pray to God to root out prejudice;

For we already have eyes

With which to see the good in all people
If we would only use them rightly.

We cannot merely pray to God to end starvation;

 For we already have the resources 
With which to feed the entire world
If we would only use them wisely.

We cannot merely pray to God to end despair;
For we already have the power
To clear away slums and to give hope
If we would only use our power justly.

We cannot merely pray to God to end disease:
For we already have great minds
With which to search out cures and healings
If we would only use them constructively.

Therefore we pray instead
For strength, determination, and will power,
To do instead of merely to pray
To become instead of merely to wish;
That our world may be safe,

And that our lives may be blessed.

As we look at the world around us – we are charged to be champions of goodness and compassion, justice and right.  May your words and deeds be so dedicated– so our world might yet be made better because of you.  And may we all forge this blessing together.