Rosicrucian prayer

Lest you think I have taken complete leave of my senses and joined the Rosicrucians, a mystical order of the "rose cross" originating in Medieval Germany, let me assure you that is not true - however, I came across the following prayer on "war" which I found moving as well as germane to our times. May it speak to you as well:

I am guilty of war when I proudly exercise
my intelligence to the disadvantage of my fellow man.

I am guilty of war when I distort other's opinions,
which differ from my own.

I am guilty of war when I show disregard
for the rights and properties of others.

I am guilty of war when I covet what another has honestly acquired.

I am guilty of war when I seek to maintain my superiority of position by depriving others of their opportunity of advancement.

I am guilty of war if I imagine my kin and myself to be a privileged people.

I am guilty of war if I believe a heritage entitles me
to monopolize resources of nature.

I am guilty of war when I believe other people must think and live as I do.

I am guilty of war when I make success in life solely dependent
upon power, fame, and riches.

I am guilty of war when I think the minds of people should
be regulated by force, rather than by reason.

I am guilty of war when I believe the God I conceive is
the one others must accept.

I am guilty of war when I think that a land of a man's birth
must necessarily be the place of his livelihood.

When all men will frankly perceive their common dependence, an understanding will emerge that will transcend the barriers of time and space, creed and race.

Rosicrucian Order - creed of peace - Ralph M. Lewis - 1944