A Skydiver's Prayer

[LawnDart21 0]

Gievn the holiday season, I thought I'd post this and share it with everyone. I was raised Catholic, and although I don't go to church as often as I should, I definitely feel close to God, and it was actually when I started skydiving that I really felt His presence in my life. It was on my AFF Level 1 jump, riding to altitude in a Cessna with my two jumpmasters, that I closed my eyes to say a prayer, I wasn't sure what to pray for, and this just sort of popped in my head. I've said this same prayer in the plane (usually around 5000ft for some reason....) before all of my 400 jumps, and it has basically become a ritual for me. I guess it makes it easier for me to step out the door knowing I'm not going it alone. I often get caught making the sign of the cross in the plane before exit by jumpers, alot of times 1st time tandem students. They usually inquire as what I'm doing and I typically respond "I always jump tandem, I'm bringing God with me, just in case." Anyways, here's the prayer:
A Skydiver’s Prayer
“Lord protect us, as once again, we take this leap of faith and step out into the great unknown, so that we may know Your glory through human flight. Please see that our parachutes open cleanly, guiding us safely back to earth. Watch over our pilots, and bring them back to us safely.
Should this not be your design, should today be the day that one of us meets our judgement, Lord, please know that we are truly sorry for our sins and thankful for this life in the sky that you have given us. Embrace those that are left behind and let them know we lived free and can die without regret. We pray that we be absolved of our sins and granted entrance into your glorious Kingdom of Heaven, that we may know your love and glory for all time.”
Amen.
Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good flight!!!!!
Tom

[airann 1]

Thanks.
http://www.AirAnn.com
Ugly Girl #6

[LawnDart21 0]

Thanks Ann! Happy Holidays! (I jump in Boston, but was down in Spaceland last season and we chatted on the Otter on a couple of loads. I think it's great what your doing with the AirAnn Fresh Air Awards, I've been following it on your website, your really making a difference "up" there. :-)
Cheers, Tom

[freaksister 0]

Thanks for posting that! It was cool.
I have a certain prayer I say every jump. I pray to be forgiven for my sins, and thank God for his son Jesus Christ, and then I pray for God to be with me and guide me from "Now until my feet touch the ground," and to "place Angels above us,below us, and all around us." Amen.
This is my little ritual!
Christmas Blessings to you all,
Sis
I feel so alive,for the very first time-and I think I can fly! - P.O.D.

[Albatross 0]

That was a beautiful thought even for someone who is not particularly religious. I have a silly habbit of kissing my closing pinneclace like someone would a rosary. I often get odd stares but it works for my mind. It is kind of a mental way for me to say I have planned and doneallI can now I must trust that everything will be all right.
God bless us and God Bless America
Albatross

[homer 0]

We all have our superstitions and rituals that we go through before every jump. I too get stairs when saying my prayers and some tell me to relax and not to worry. Prayer is a good thing and if something should go wrong GOD will know that before you left the plane your thoughts and heart where directed toward him. God bless all who try to fly like the birds. MARRY CHRISTMAS <:) and safe jumping now and on the new year.
I ask all on your next jump when your saying your prayer ask GOD to watch over someone you know who is in the military and over seas.
Beware of the toes you step on today, for they may belong to the ASS you kiss tomorrow.

[freeflir29 0]

Nice!!
I just tend not to worry about though. I mean.....What's the worst thing that could happen??? "Carb Heat On....Carb Heat On.....Carb Heat On..."-Phil Polstra Clay

[rgoper 0]

Tom:
that is a very wonderful sentiment. i'm lutheran (we can do all kinds of bad things, and still be forgiven for them) i always wear my saint christopher necklace, and won't jump without it. i always recite the apostles creed before every jump. it's nice to know, should the next sky dive you do, could always be the last sane thing you do, at least your at peace with your creator. i don't necessarily "worry" about anything happening, but you should always plan for the unexpected, physically, mentally and spiritually. taht was way kewel you shared that, it speaks well of you. peace.
Blue Skies, Hot Days!
Richard
"Gravity Is My Friend"
Merry Christmas Every One!

[airann 1]

Quote

but was down in Spaceland last season and we chatted on the Otter on a couple of loads

Get outta town! I was on a load with you? How about that!! Thats definatly cool. Name sounds kinda familiar...Seems like I can almost remember some of it.
I never forget a face, but I am not all that great with names. I almost always make up a new name for someone that sounds like their name. Like there is this one dude on wreck whos name is fastsftail- -Well, Heh, ...it looks like Fast Flail to me...? He didnt like that too much. The more I look at his screen name, the more I think its about maybe he has a Harley and its a soft tail? Thats my current guess, based on the fact he is in the Village Pople.
Dude, come back down here or else maybe I can jump with you next season up there?. I am almost positive I will be cruzing dz's towards the end of the summer.
http://www.AirAnn.com
Ugly Girl #6

[LawnDart21 0]

Small world eh? I was down in Houston working for a few days so I brought my rig and made some jumps in Spaceland. I actaully ran into my AFF level 1 JM there too that day. I'll be back down in February to work again (I'm stuck in freezing Boston.......) in Houston, so I'll bring my rig and we can do some freeflying! If you ever get up to Skydive Pepperell in MA this summer (perhaps our end of August Casa Boogie?) be sure to let me know in advance so I can put together an "AirAnn" announcement at the DZ!
Cheers, Tom

[airann 1]

No doubt on the small world. Heh, that is really neat.
I kinda like meeting new persons on loads. I usually come right at cha saying something like ...I dont allow people I dont know on my loads, Could be I have a buncha stuff in the works for a little going around DZs this next year. I have somethings working on the girlz aspect of skydiving this next year with some Dzs. So we shall see how that works out.
http://www.AirAnn.com
Ugly Girl #6

[mikefarmer 0]

That's cool. I knew atheism couldn't possibly be as prevalent in the skydiving community as it seems to be sometimes!
I always ask for forgiveness (a lot of it usually), guidance and protection before the 1st load of the day. (If you wonder if it works, track down my post on my only mal.)
Every once in a while, if I'm feeling especially selfish and sentimental, I'll ask if God could possibly let Mom check out this jump.
"It's better to be dead and cool than alive and uncool."-Marlboro Man

[freaksister 0]

I've noticed a lot of atheism too, but I've also noticed more believers than I originally thought. Its good to know. Sis
I feel so alive,for the very first time-and I think I can fly! - P.O.D.

[SpeedRacer 1]

It was wonderful to hear this. To me, skydiving has been just one of several things that has brought me close to God. I truly became "saved" in 1996, (three years before I became a skydiver), through reading & prayer & reflection, (not through joining a formal group) but skydiving has reinforced everything. The whole experience of stepping out onto that ledge & throwing myself into the sky- sorry if I sound like I'm rambling, but that has re-enforced my beliefs so much. Ever since my first jump, I have always prayed on the jump plane, "God, please keep me & everyone else safe on this jump, but if I should die, please forgive my sins and let me live with you forever, Amen."
Speed Racer
What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork from my lunch?!
-WC Fields

[skydiverkaz 0]

That's really nice. I generally jump with a St Christopher, but partly because my dad gave it to me for my first jump. And I do pray while I am in the aircraft. I guess doing something like skydiving makes people examine life quite closely, be it from a religious point of view or not.

[apoil 0]

Whatever happened to the one true skydiver's prayer:
"Dear Lord, Please don't let me FUCK UP this skydive. Amen"
The rest of you godheads better watch out. Your survival is in your own hands, please act accordingly. You believe your creator gave you free will and the magnificent opportunity to jump. Your prayers are pointless, he already already gave you everything you need - use it.

[SpeedRacer 1]

apoil, we are skydivers. We're just as aware of the dangers as any other skydivers. Religion doesn't make you careless about your life. It can make you have a different perspective on its meaning, though.
Speed Racer
What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork from my lunch?!
-WC Fields

[freeflir29 0]

Apoil.....I have always seen things in that light. God gave me a brain and a smattering of talent. He helps those who help themselves. If you are being stupid he might not care to take notice...."I got some beers....Let's Drink em!!!"
Clay

[skymedic 0]

The higher power will ALWAYS notice.....
marc
I have no fear of falling but I hate hitting the ground -The Badlees

[apoil 0]

Quote

apoil, we are skydivers. We're just as aware of the dangers as any other skydivers. Religion doesn't make you careless about your life. It can make you have a different perspective on its meaning, though.

Far too many people use prayer and religion as a way to dodge personal responsibility.
Praying for safety on a dive is pointless, and in my opinion insults the creator.
Like I said, he gave you what you need. And if you burn in it isn't "his will" - it's just what happened. But that said, whatever it takes to make you a healthier happier skydiver and a decent person, is fine with me.

[freaksister 0]

Well...
Yes, I know my life is in my own hands - but a little guidance can't hurt - and a little faith in something other than your vain self never hurt anyone either.
When I skydive, I know that I might screw up and pull handles in the wrong order, or lose altitude awareness or something like that. I strive to do everything possible to ensure my own safety, but I don't see how its wrong to ask whoever you believe in (Allah, God if you are Jewish, God/Jesus if you are Christian, Buddha, the Goddess if you're wiccan, etc. the list goes on)... to bless you with their presence. Its not about asking God or whoever to make your decisions, or float you safely to the ground if you forget to pull, its like, a guidance thing, even if it is in death - to guide you to wherever you believe souls go...to know that they are there with you even though your time on Earth is over.
Even when I do everything I think I can for my own safety, something just might go wrong...a rapide link might fail for no reason, another jumper might knock me unconscious, I might get hit crossing the street, I might get E-coli at Hooters because the cook was too busy looking at T&A to cook the food properly...who knows? That is what faith is for. Faith in something supernatural, unseen...The human species has always had a strong need to find some religion, or belief in a higher power. Rain gods, sun gods, wheat gods, gods of the dead, goddesses of fertility, river gods, on and on the list goes. Don't you think there is a reason that probably 75% of the world's population has always believed in SOMETHING out there? Its a need most humans will always have.
I am not trying to preach, or teach a theology course. I am only trying to give you a little food for thought today! Its too windy here to jump, so I am at home, waiting for the landlord to come fix my central heat and air (brrrrr) and philosophizing to you! Don't hate me because I think!!! hehe
And now, enough serious talk for today!! Off to wait for the darn landlord and watch the weather channel!! grrrrr
Sis
I feel so alive,for the very first time-and I think I can fly! - P.O.D.