La Prière du Para (The Paratrooper's Prayer) is a
French
French may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France
** French people, a nation and ethnic group
** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices
Arts and media
* The French (band), ...
poem
Poetry (from the Greek language, Greek word ''poiesis'', "making") is a form of literature, literary art that uses aesthetics, aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning (linguistics), meanings in addition to, or in ...
written by
Aspirant
Aspirant is usually an officer cadet rank used in armies, navies and air forces.
In Western Christianity, an aspirant is the first stage in becoming a monastic.
Religious use
In Western Christianity, the term is also used in reference to rel ...
(
Brevet-Lieutenant)
André Zirnheld
André Louis Arthur Zirnheld (March 7, 1913 – July 27, 1942) was a French paratrooper, a member of the Free French Air Force, and a member of the French Squadron, Special Air Service during World War II.
He is famous for being the first Frenc ...
, upon his death in
Libya
Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya border, the east, Sudan to Libya–Sudan border, the southeast, Chad to Chad–L ...
on July 27, 1942.
The Paratrooper's Prayer has been adopted by all
French Metropolitan and Marine Infantry Paratrooper Units and Regiments. The Prayer appears before
A. J. Quinnell's novel ''
Man on Fire'', the main
protagonist
A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a ...
of which is an ex-paratrooper in the
Legion
Legion may refer to:
Military
* Roman legion, the basic military unit of the ancient Roman army
* Aviazione Legionaria, Italian air force during the Spanish Civil War
* A legion is the regional unit of the Italian carabinieri
* Spanish Legion, ...
. This prayer also appears in Lt. Col.
Dave Grossman's book, ''
On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace'', ''Rogue Heroes'' by
Ben Macintyre
Benedict Richard Pierce Macintyre (born 25 December 1963) is a British author, reviewer and columnist for ''The Times'' newspaper. His columns range from current affairs to historical controversies. He has written some 15 books, and received n ...
, and ''Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead'' by
Jim Mattis
James Norman Mattis (born September 8, 1950) is an American military officer who served as the 26th United States secretary of defense from 2017 to 2019. A retired United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps four-star General (United States), gene ...
. The prayer, or some of it, is read in the French film ''
Léon Morin, Priest
''Léon Morin, Priest'' () is a 1961 French drama film directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. It was adapted by Melville from Béatrix Beck's novel '' The Passionate Heart'' (French: ''Léon Morin, prêtre''), which won the Prix Goncourt in 1952. Set ...
(1961).''
The Prayer of the Paratrooper
:(Translation by Robert Petersen)
I'm asking You God, to give me what You have left.
Give me those things which others never ask of You.
I don't ask You for rest, or tranquility.
Not that of the spirit, the body, or the mind.
I don't ask You for wealth, or success, or even health.
All those things are asked of You so much Lord,
that you can't have any left to give.
Give me instead Lord what You have left.
Give me what others don't want.
I want uncertainty and doubt.
I want torment and battle.
And I ask that You give them to me now and forever Lord,
so I can be sure to always have them,
because I won't always have the strength to ask again.
But give me also the courage, the energy,
and the spirit to face them.
I ask You these things Lord,
because I can't ask them of myself(*).
(*) The French text says rather:
For only You can grant
What can come only from myself.
References
*Anthony W. Pahl
International War Veterans' Poetry Archive
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paratrooper's Prayer
Christian prayer
1942 documents