A Higher Standard

Today during an Honor Code Assembly where students were required to sign and acknowledge their acceptance of upholding the school's honor code, the headmaster also asked all of the attendees to recite the Cadet Prayer from West Point.  I find this prayer to be inspiring and a reminder of the sacrifice and the joy these men and women proclaim.  The sacrifice lies not only in their service, but also in the One True God.   

I am so inspired by this prayer I am considering using it in my own home.  I'm sure I will tweak it a bit, but it is nearly flawless for my needs.  If my children come to understand that they must "live above the common level of life" and "knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy."  These are basic and foundational truths and I think all of us should hold ourselves to such high standards.  If all of us did, the world would be a very, very different place.  Consider this prayer and how it might change how you live your life.  Have a wonderful Friday and be immensely BLESSED!!

Cadet Prayer from the West Point as shown on the West Point website.  

 

O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural.

 

Strengthen and increase our admiration for honest dealing and clean thinking, and suffer not our hatred of hypocrisy and pretence ever to diminish. Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life. Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won. Endow us with courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy. Guard us against flippancy and irreverence in the sacred things of life. Grant us new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service. Kindle our hearts in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance, and soften our hearts with sympathy for those who sorrow and suffer. Help us to maintain the honor of the Corps untarnished and unsullied and to show forth in our lives the ideals of West Point in doing our duty to Thee and to our Country. All of which we ask in the name of the Great Friend and Master of all.

 

Amen