A Prayer for Everybody in the World

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

July 12, 2009 at 12:08 am

In the 1970s the social activist, blues singer, and revolutionary poet, Gill Scott-Heron, wrote a moving song entitled a Prayer for Everybody in the World. May Allah bless us to realize in our lives the realities he has identified here, for they only come from Him.

Prayer for Everybody in the World

This is a prayer for everybody
In the world
‘Cause I need you and you need me
We need each other

This is a prayer for everybody
In the world
A prayer for you
A prayer for me
A prayer for love and harmony
A prayer for light for all to see
A prayer that someday we’ll all be free

‘Cause…
There’s a lot that’s wrong
We must be strong
And not become bitter
If there’s a chance
That mankind will profit
Why should we scoff at something new
Or old - if it can make us better?

This is a prayer for everybody
In the world
‘Cause without you
And without me
Without love and harmony
Without courage and dignity
What would it mean
To be free?

Gill Scott-Heron