General Douglas MacArthur was an outstanding man both during World War II and in the times that followed. The leader of the United States forces in the Philippines regularly prayed this prayer for his son, Arthur, during his morning devotions:
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge. Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past. And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.
In your time alone with God:
What are you favorite lines of this memoir?
Why? Are they aspirations or affirmations?
What characteristics would you like to ask and trust God to bring into your life? Are you willing to let him? What if that path was hard or challenging?
You are the Beloved Son or daughter of a good, good Father! Play your part and invite Him to play His. Watch, listen and learn the Rhythms of Grace and the ways of the Kingdom. He wants to entrust you with more. This fallen war-torn place needs men and women who have experienced more and are living to tell about it! I pray this for and over you, His transforming Love and the Life in which you have always dreamed. –Michael Thompson
