Firefighter's Prayer

[catelin]

This may seem corny, but I love this poem. It's been a comfort to me in the past when I've lost firefighting friends, the same way that hearing "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes at every cop's funeral I've ever been to somehow calms me.

Firefighter's Prayer
(anonymous)

When I am called to duty, God
Whenever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age,

Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate

Enable me to be alert and
Hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out

I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor and
Protect his property

And if according to my fate
I am to lose my life,
Please bless with your
protecting hand
My children and my wife.

Comments

[curtankerous.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

I'd hug you but I don't want to get tears all over your shoulder.

[anoisblue.livejournal.com]

Cate, I really needed to read that. Thank you.

Hug Away!

[catelin.livejournal.com]

You, my dear Auntie, are a prince. I'm proud to call you my friend. : )

[catelin.livejournal.com]

I got friends with ATF's critical response teams...I can't even imagine what I'll be hearing later. My best thoughts are with you, dear. Keep the faith.

[kezzyau.livejournal.com]

Shortly after you posted this prayer and I read it, the news came through that over 200 firemen in New York had lost their lives in the collapse of the south tower and from fire and other collapsing structural debris. I wept at the news and I thought of this prayer.

Thank you for posting it, Caitlin. I couldn't respond until now, because I was too emotional.

My thoughts are with my friends on LJ and elsewhere online, my family in the US, the families of the victims, the emergency workers in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, and everyone in America who has rallied in unity and self-lessness. My love and best wishes to you.

[catelin.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear. We've all had such an outpouring of good wishes and support from our friends all over the world...there's just no way to say what that means to me. It's a gesture that speaks to the best of what we all are.