She would, on the birthday of Christ, allow herself what…
““She would, on the birthday of Christ, allow herself what she called "an extra helping of prayer." At the time of the Civil War, she would pray for peace. Always, she asked God to spare me and my father. But at Christmas, she talked to God as if He were Clerk of the Acts in the Office of Public Works. She prayed for cleaner air in London. She prayed that our chimneys would not fall over in the January winds; she prayed that our neighbour, Mister Simkins, would attend to his cesspit, so that it would cease its overflow into ours. She prayed that Amos Treefeller would not slip and drown "going down the public steps to the river at Blackfriars, which are much neglected and covered in slime, Lord." And she prayed, of course, that plague would not come. As a child, she allowed me to ask God to grant me things for which my heart longed. I would reply that my heart longed for a pair of skates made of bone or for a kitten from Siam. And we would sit by the fire, the two of us, praying. And then we would eat a lardy cake, which my mother had baked herself, and ever since that time the taste of lardy cake has had about it the taste of prayer.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Prayer intertwines personal desire with communal concern, reflecting a deep connection between faith and everyday life.
In simple terms: Prayer blends personal hopes and social care.
Key Takeaway
Use prayer or reflection to address both self and community needs.
Themes
faith
family
history
social responsibility
personal growth
Mood
contemplative
nostalgic
Type
spiritual
literary
When to use this quote
- family rituals
- war‑time coping
- community health
- environmental concern
Key Concepts
prayer
interdependence
hope
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal prayer affect your view of larger issues?
- What role does ritual play in coping with hardship?
A Different Perspective
Prayer may not change outcomes; it can be a coping mechanism rather than a solution.