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Answered Prayer - Analysis of poem

I am not sure where I came across this poem, and then it did sound amazing, and so I learned it, memorized it, and took it into my heart. I think its most reffered as "answered prayer". So in a poetic manner I am quoting it, the author is unknown, however, Goodreads have quoted it to  Swami Vivekananda although his version is slightly different.

I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity and God gave me brawn and brains to work.
I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for patience and God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.
I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help.
I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.
I asked for everything so I could enjoy life. 
Instead, He gave me life so I could enjoy everything.
I received nothing I wanted, I received everything I needed.

 Now, I have a HUGE ISSUE with this poem. They have not mentioned which God they are talking about. This is such a general poem, that Islamic, Jewish, Christian and Hindu blogs have these poems.  Awww, how sweet, the world is so united about God. WRONG! ... 

 You see, I want you to think about the words and values in this poem deeply.  I am not a hater of the swami, or the person who wrote the poem, they observed their involvement with some sort of deity and gave their interpretation of life situations. Now the issue is to generalize this to a  life application lesson. I am going into the poem with a surgeon's knife, join me.

The very first sentence makes us realize that the great fallacy of this poem, the author asks his/her god for strength and the so-called God gave difficulties. This has in many ways an accurate description of Hinduism and some part Islam. In Hinduism, the core principle is "Tat-Tvam-Asi" meaning - you share the essence of the divine, in a sense that you are god, and taking that into premise, it may work out well if you or the greater god, may put difficulties in front of you so that you may get stronger, and bring out the divinity in you. In checking with another major religion like Islam, we see that its depended on a non personal god, so the god could push you around so that his/its will ( Insha- Allah ) or purpose may happen and let me remind you that both these are accurate to the teachings of these major religions and so no come backs for this one please.

The Christian doctrine is so different in its core, it talks about a God who came down, committed a scandal by forgiving the sinner before they asked forgiveness, and lived a human, and was killed to take the punishment of their sins. I know why a Christian may feel that this poem is accurate, but dear friend, let me remind you a number of sentences that Jesus told his believers and worshipers ....

"My grace is sufficient for you, when you are week (and want strength ) , i am strong ( strong for you ) - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Jesus said, "Ask and you will receive anything you ask for - and in the best manner " - Matthew 7:7-9

So, the final analysis is in this re written poem.



I asked for strength and God said MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT (I am your strength) .
I asked for wisdom and God  GAVE IT TO ME LIBERALLY
I asked for prosperity and God said I AM YOUR TREASURE AND YOU ARE MINE.
I asked for courage and God said I AM WITH YOU, I WILL BE WITH YOU
I asked for patience and God gave ME HIS SPIRIT AND BROUGHT PATIENCE
I asked for favors and God LAVISHED ME WITH FAVOUR
I asked for everything so I could enjoy life. 
AND HE DIED ON THE CROSS THAT I MAY HAVE LIVE IN HIM, WITH HIM, FOR EVER
I received EVERYTHING I wanted, I received NOTHING I DESERVED.


I am not trying to convert you to a new religion, I am just trying to tell you what an awesome God you and I have, one who did everything possible for us, so that we may enjoy life together with him, in all his fullness and his fullness is eternity.

This my friends is a scandal, a heavenly scandal, forgiveness before you said sorry, - because

he . loves . you

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Location: Orpington, Orpington

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