A Creed for Those Who Have Suffered

I love both of the works below but I recently realized that the poem titled “I Asked God for Strength” (also known as “Prayer of an Unknown Confederate Soldier” or “Prayer of an Unknown Soldier”) has been widely circulated anonymously, and has been:

• Incorrectly retitled over the years (e.g., “A Creed for Those Who Have Suffered”)

• Incorrectly attributed to Howard Thurman in digital devotional spaces, blogs, and even some older booklets without scholarly citations

Howard Thurman’s actual piece titled “A Creed for Those Who Have Suffered” is:

• More theological and affirmational

• Written in the voice of someone declaring faith in God's nature despite suffering

• Appears in his books such as Meditations of the Heart and The Inward Journey

A Creed for Those Who Have Suffered

by Howard Thurman

I affirm my faith that God is the God of life,
that God creates and sustains the universe by the outpouring of energy;
that God’s life is mine, and my life is God’s.

I affirm my faith that God is the God of truth,
that the truth of God has been disclosed in Jesus of Nazareth,
that it is the truth that makes me free.

I affirm my faith that God is the God of love,
that love is the essential energy of life,
that love makes all things new.

I affirm my faith that God is the God of hope,
that God keeps faith with the future,
that hope will not disappoint.

 

Prayer of an Unknown Soldier

by (Anonymous)

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
He gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for health, that I might do great things;
He gave me infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
He gave me poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
He gave me weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for everything, that I might enjoy life;
He gave me life, so that I might enjoy everything.

I received nothing I asked for—
I received everything I needed.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayer was answered;
I am, among all people, most richly blessed.

 

Quick Profile: Howard Thurman

Field	Detail
Full Name	Howard Washington Thurman
Born	November 18, 1899 – Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
Died	April 10, 1981 – San Francisco, California
Education	BA, Morehouse College (1923); BD, Rochester Theological Seminary (1926)
Occupation	Theologian, Philosopher, Author, Educator, Mystic
Notable Role	Co-founder of the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples (1944); Spiritual mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Family	Married Sue Bailey Thurman (noted activist/historian)
Legacy	One of the most influential religious leaders of the 20th century; his teachings on nonviolence shaped the Civil Rights Movement