A beautiful prayer

I love some of the reflections and prayers of the Sufi mystics. Therefore, I include this prayer which comes from the 8th Century mystic Rabi'a al-'Aadawiyya who lived in Basra;


O Lord, if I worship you out of fear of hell, burn me in hell.
If I worship you in the hope of paradise, forbid it to me.
And if I worship you for your own sake,
do not deprive me of your eternal beauty


That prayer comes from her devotion to God as fostered within the Muslim community. Yet as a Christian, I can say a hearty Amen to it also.


Hat Tip Jahane Rumi