Gandhi’s Prayer “When I Despair”

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, an anti-colonialist, and a political ethicist. He believed in using nonviolent resistance to achieve goals, such as independence for India. He was raised a Hindu, and was also influenced by the writings of Buddha, Leo Tolstoy, and  Henry David Thoreau. 

Gandhi wrote something which has been called a prayer, but that also feels like a poem. I believe it is particularly appropriate in our time. Listen to what Gandhi prayed: 

When I despair, I remember 

That all through history 

The way of truth and love have always won. 

There have been tyrants and murderers, 

And for a time they can seem invincible, 

But in the end, they always fail. 

Think of it – always. 

This prayer brings me comfort in difficult times. I hope that when you are in despair, you will think of Ghandhi’s words and find hope. Whether you pray Gandhi’s prayer, or a different prayer, or no prayer at all, you are loved exactly as you are, no mask required. The world will  always be a better place because you are in it. Think of that – always.