Petitionary Prayer As A Way To Get Through A Rough Shift

[TheCommuter]

Petitionary prayer focuses on requesting or petitioning for something, such as guidance for oneself or others. Even though prayer is normally connected with organized religion, one does not need to be religious or a 'believer' in order to pray. In fact, a secular person may engage in the practice of prayer for its calming, meditative, and relaxing effects. Moreover, one does not necessarily need to pray to a deity or a god to reap the benefits of praying.

Prayer also provides an escapist form of stress reduction, and this may certainly come in handy during those stressful shifts at work that feel disorganized and chaotic. I am assured that the majority of healthcare workers have worked more than one shift that felt as if it was a bottomless pit of hot wax that never seemed to end. However, petitionary prayer allows the employee to ask for something to happen, calms and soothes him or her in the midst of craziness, promotes relaxation during a time of anxiety, and bestows a small sense of control upon the person doing the praying.

Do not get me wrong. Our technical skills, application of knowledge, experience, and ability to critically think are the things that truly keep our patients alive and safe. However, sometimes we need that added boost to get through a tough day, and petitionary prayer can serve as that dynamic inspiration for those who desperately need it. Although I am not a religious person, I am spiritual and do believe in the power of prayer. The following is a non-religious, secular petitionary prayer for healthcare workers who might be going through one of those seemingly hopeless shifts at work. It will only consume a few minutes out of one's hectic day.

Quote

I am moving as fast as I possibly can,

I am trying my best to get through this shift,

But I honestly feel lost.

I simply want to know how far I have gotten,

Just how far from the point where I started am I,

Just how close to when this shift ends?

I sometimes wish I had never arrived at work today,

But I just cannot give up and walk away,

For I would be steamrolled.

The coworkers who need me would not understand,

The patients who depend on me would not comprehend,

And the sense of purpose would disappear.

The perspiration from running around is blinding me,

And I cannot visualize the goal right now.

I am moving so fast at the present time,

That I am breathless and listless.

Prepare me for what the rest of the day may bring,

Allow me to complete the job,

That had been mine as the shift began.

Give me the strength to organize,

All of the things that need to be organized.

Place the shift in focus and give me direction,

Instill me with hope and allow me room to thrive.

Do not drown me in chaos; shove distractions aside.

Allow this job to move me into a straightened path,

Give me the fortitude and courage to make it through the day.

[kabfighter]

We nurses are spiritual beings as much as our patients, are we not? As long as we don't insult those whose beliefs or lack thereof are different from ours, what's wrong with discussing our own spirituality on a nursing site?

I had a whole thing typed out, but I accidentally moved away from this page and lost it. The short story was that nursing already isn't the most well-regarded field, and the last thing we need is to look like a bunch of religious zealots on a public forum. Our religion is irrelevant on this particular website. If you'd like to discuss your favorite verses from your holy book of choice, there are better forums on which to do so. Religion requires the suspension of critical thinking and mystical thinking, neither of which is representative of the scientific backbone of nursing. I believe in some pretty interesting (non-religious) things too, believe me, but I discuss them in a more appropriate place.

I hope you get where I'm coming from.

...I think what I just wrote was longer than the original statement...

[kabfighter]

I never speak about my faith on this board..

Don't think I'll start either.

That is very appropriate, and I sincerely thank you for it.