The War Prayer

[JosephHuntington]

Bloated government is the greatest shame of mankind. Its vices create cowards and slaves, wars and widows. What the Founding Fathers sacrificed to give you, you allowed to slip away.

[Hikikomori013]

Thanks for posting the story in its original form, if another format. I think the words are most powerful when delivered with quiet humility rather than thundered as too many productions do.

[willienelsonpri]

Well stated. Where Mark Twain uses satire to get his point across about the evils of war, you state it clearly in no uncertain terms. I like that very much. Thanks for visiting and sharing. Liz

[Jcolinsol]

Just as Hell is the absence of God, Peace is simply the absence of war.

War is an inherently stupid activity. It is profitless, indeed it is the destruction of profit, for it costs labor, and resources, and destroys labor and resources.

Indeed, war is such an expensive activity, it can only be afforded by the state, through forced taxation. Through compulsory association.

War is an act of emotional self-gratification. An act of self-righteous mutual annihilation, a bloody penance, to no God.

[gostflame380]

nice video =]

[willienelsonpri]

Thanks for checking us out. I sent you an invite to participate in Willie's peace project. Will you join us? Liz

[PalestineIsraelLove]

peace

[willienelsonpri]

Thanks for visiting and your friend invite. All peaceful people need to stick together. Liz

[robtul12]

Thank yoiu so much for posting Mark Twain's great treatise on the evil, senslessness, burtality, and stupidity of warfare. Peace, Robert.

[willienelsonpri]

Mitakuye, that is a beautiful prayer. Thank you. We hope you will contribute to Willie's Peace project. Willie loves listening to all the musicians who we feature. Will you join us? Liz

[Igmula74]

mother earth and father sun i thank you that

the power of wars will loose its power.and i thank you ,that all humanbeings will notice .that our great big mother earth.

is our great mother and we are the children

and we will stop bringing our mother earth to cry,and i thank you father sun that you will

clean the heads of all fastfood warriors.

and save all the hungry people arround the world. mitakuye oyasin

[willienelsonpri]

Great message, my friend. Thank you. Liz

[groberson2007]

5 Stars!!! Thanks for posting this war prayer.

My Grandmother who was not a graduate, once told me...If you thank God for 10 percent of his blessings you will not have time to ask Him for anything that may not be good for you.

She is the only person I ever knew in my long and happy life, who was NEVER wrong about anything!!! She was just another GOOD reason to THANK HIM.

[DebbieVicari]

Very very very good. I have never heard that beofre nor have I really stopped to think about it and I like to think of myself as a person that does. Thanks for posting. I guess I needed reminding.

[willienelsonpri]

Thanks for visiting, Debbie. Mark Twain has a way of expanding the mind if we allow it. I'm glad it happened for you.

[cureworks]

When I heard Rev. Dr. Wright talk about the sins of America, my soul jumped back to this piece (peace).

Folks are still giving the guest minister a hard time for talking against our passions behind war, or the results that evil can bring back on us, like what's happening now.

Thanks again Jay, Willie and the rest of the awesome Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute.

The answer to the War Prayer is to skip the drama and go straight to peace as the purpose of our lives.

[willienelsonpri]

Beautifully stated, Nayer. We can choose Peace over this. Thanks for saying it so simply. Love you. Liz

[cureworks]

Liz & Jay: We love you all, the entire crew and all you touch, so much. It's powerful the work that you do at the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute - willienelsonpri com. You've developed your leadership role in using the web as a tool of peace to a master's level. By definition, that's hope.

Thank you.

[willienelsonpri]

Nayer, Considering all the good work you do for peace, we are honored by your kind and flattering words. While it's always good to celebrate the small wins, it's not time to cut the big cake yet. Peace, Jay

[cureworks]

Jay: You're right about it's not time to cut the big cake yet. I am enjoying the beauty of the cup cakes of victory too, like this great video you did. I found a peace of understanding in this piece, The War Prayer.

We have volumes of work ahead of us with the ability to get it done. Though I'm old now, in my soul I'm still a NYC party girl, so any excuse to spin a record and dance works for me...joy as an empowerment tool.

Now back to work. JOY!

[moomay11649]

EXCELLENT!

[willienelsonpri]

Thanx Carol, positive encouragement is always welcome. Check out our singing challenge at willienelsonpri dot com the first button gives you the lyrics and other people's versions

Peace, Jay

[goody2shoes200394]

brillaint i  enjoyed that one hugz rachael

[willienelsonpri]

Rachael, would that everyone would possess your mature vision. Peace, Jay

[jonan33]

this was brilliant ,10**********

[willienelsonpri]

Joan, I appreciate your use of exaggeration, in hindsight the combination of Mark Twain and Willie Nelson seems like a natural to me, I hope it happens more often

Peace, Jay

[Gordieiati]

excellent video

[willienelsonpri]

thanks Gordon, I too find it amazing what Willie can pull off with family and friends, it speaks to what we all can accomplish with a little mutual support and colaboration

Peace, Jay

[littlebitmore2]

This video is an eye opener for many including me.I will have to read more of Mark Twain's work.How true tho,to the positive side,there is a negative side and many people don't take that into consequence when they say or act on something.

Peace and Love

Di

[willienelsonpri]

true words Dianne, not until we can see beyond our own narrow, selfish and misconceived views can we begin to strive toward our actual potential

Mark Twain approached this theme many ways and became harder and more ruthless as time passed, he didn't see things improving fast enough to be of any use, I hope he was wrong

Peace, Jay

[slowhand1954]

Jay and company, Thank you so very much for bringing us this very obscure piece of work from Samual Clemens, AKA Mark Twain. I was unaware that it had been put on a cd. It speak to the hearts and souls to those who are willing to hear the message it brings. I totally agree with this message. It goes hand in hand with old saying, "Be careful what you ask for, You just might get it"

Peace,

Allen

[willienelsonpri]

very nice paraphrase Allen, thanks for sharing your understanding, it appears Twain himself suppressed its publication while he lived and his family continued to do so for many years following his death

as with much of his later work, it seems to me to be among the most bitter, critical and cutting of all his writings

I don't know if it's just me or the times we live in but I find myself most drawn to these later works and often think upon how relevant they seem today

Peace, Jay

[suuzzee5]

Thank you for this inspiring video! Why is this truth so hard for some to understand? It's the Golden Rule! Everybody wants to win, nobody wants to lose. The only way to achieve win-win is DO NOT ENGAGE! Otherwise it's lose-lose! I am from an American, WWII-era military family...a very different world situation at that time. War is no longer an option in the world unless you have to defend your home and country...and that is NOT what we are doing today! Not by a mile....

[willienelsonpri]

You're very welcome Suze. Every generation overcomes a few liabilities from the past. Just as vendetta and other practices have been overcome, so too will war. Sooner is better than later. Peace, Jay

[suuzzee5]

...from your mouth to God's ears...

[willienelsonpri]

...more is better than less...

[cureworks]

Pause and think.

This webeo should be required viewing for every political science, religion and social studies class in the world.

Elected and appointed officials, as well as all citizens of all ages should grow from this modern application of Mark Twain's wisdom.

Well Done!!!

[willienelsonpri]

I agree Nayer. The more I know of Mark Twain the more I understand why he's considered one of the greatest writers to come out of North America. Peace, Jay

[cureworks]

I am a lunatic too! Once I realized it was normal people who ran the concentration camps and police states, lunatic seemded the only sane decision to make. "You want me to believe what?" I pray for and want only the Lord's Peace and Joy.

Thank you Willie Nelson & Crew for this powerful webeo. It calms my soul as a prayer of understanding.

Using peaceful, thought all the way through solutions, like Willie says, NO WAR

(is) REQUIRED.

We are overcoming war now with peace, the better way.

[willienelsonpri]

Yes, Nayer, no human activity has witnessed as much logic, thought and planning put into it as war. Compared to the touted illogic of love it's easy to see the appeal of lunacy. Peace, Jay

[cureworks]

Soon, like in HORTON HEARS A WHO, or the fable THE HUNDRETH MONKEY, more folks will be working full time for peace than for war.

I think the first step is to forgive ourselves. "Forgive - Give for the Lord to handle. Surrender to unconditional love."

The second step, extend that forgiveness to others.

When forgiven as one, then the door opens to the era of peace on earth for folks of good will.

A WAR PRAYER'S PEACEFUL SOLUTION - FORGIVENESS - NO WAR REQUIRED

Still thinking. Thanks Jay.

[willienelsonpri]

Forgiveness? Sounds like more lunacy to me <:D

I hear too many excuses and rational explanations for holding on to grudges and no good ever comes out of any of it. Yes Nayer, forgiveness seems like a good place to start. Peace, Jay

[THEREDNECKPEPI64]

thanks for posting!

*****

Pepi

[willienelsonpri]

Thanks for noticing, Pepi. :D It's good to know Mark Twain is still appreciated in Italy. Peace, Jay

[Dad103]

Words that have been reflected for millennium by the many whom sat at home praying for a safe return of those they know must commit wrong for them to be happy in their OWN ways negligent of the ways they take from others.

Lord, make the mind of those in my world aware of the hurt they pray for others. Lord, hear MY prayer.

[willienelsonpri]

I hope more people understand what you do, Dan. Only when we all realize the interconnectedness of all life can peace prevail. Peace, Jay

[Boucrate]

I'm a lunatic! Thank you so greatly for posting that Mark Twain Soul awaker!

[willienelsonpri]

When madness passes as sane logic then perhaps it is time for all who object to embrace lunacy. In these times it may become the last resort. Peace, Jay

[BNDS9]

I hope some day folks get the point of this.

[willienelsonpri]

Thanks Benny, Mark Twain was the greatest satirist writing in English of his generation, some would argue of any generation. It's good to know some still understand satire. Peace, Jay