From the Rev Angus Hunt
Sir: Most of us who are accustomed to pray regularly are aware of the danger of allowing our prayers to become mechanical and of giving little thought to the often profound implications of the words we use, Our Lord's Prayer is one of the clearest examples of such danger when it is repeated many times a day. In a lesser degree the same is true of a prayer familiar to those who believe in praying for the departed: "Rest eternal grant them, 0 Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them." What meaning, I wonder, do those who use this prayer frequently give to the words, "Rest eternal "?
It is easy to sympathise with words supposedly engraved on the tombstone of an old washerwoman, "Don't mourn for me now and don't mourn for me never for I'm going to do nothing for ever and ever." But what
about the great creative artist or an explorer like Dr Wilson of Antarctic fame, cut down in the prime of life? Do such people long for eternal rest? Surely a more appropriate form of prayer would be, "Understanding and joyful activity grant them, 0 Lord, and let Creative Love eternally shine within them."
Kipling seemed to have had some such idea when he pictured us after death resting for an "aeon or two" till the Master of all good workmen "sets us to work anew." And did not the inspired visionary on the Isle of Patmos see those celestial beings who "rest not day and night" in giving glory to God. It is hard to imagine them being thrilled at the prospect of " rest eternal,"
If only. more Christians could think of the life to come as a state of creative activity rather than a period of unending rest it would surely take the sting out of death when it strikes down those who seem to. have left behind so many unfinished tasks.
Angus Hunt 13 Knowle Grange, Sidmouth
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