My goal is follow the Old Testament under Islam. Note that I didn't say "in Islam" because I do not plan to convert. By "under Islam" I mean under the protection of Islam. I regularly attend mosque and I want to participate as much as possible in the community as an alternative to dealing with degenerate modern culture. The Old Testament has very similar values to the Quran, just the means of achieving those values is different. The Quran emphasizes God's authority and encourages people to submit to that authority. The Old Testament emphasizes God's teaching (torah) and encourages people to understand that teaching.
The Muslim prayer is an excellent expression of the Islamic approach. For the last 2 weeks I have worked on designing an Old Testament prayer that follows the Muslim form but reflects the Old Testament approach. I have selected parts of the Old Testament for content and I have done my own translations from Hebrew since most English translations are awful. But I plan to say it in Hebrew. I think any Muslim familiar with the Islamic prayer will recognize the parellel structure. Below is the prayer I designed and I would very much appreciate any feedback on it. (Note that I am a computer programmer, so I wrote the prayer as a computer program.)
The Muslim prayer is an excellent expression of the Islamic approach. For the last 2 weeks I have worked on designing an Old Testament prayer that follows the Muslim form but reflects the Old Testament approach. I have selected parts of the Old Testament for content and I have done my own translations from Hebrew since most English translations are awful. But I plan to say it in Hebrew. I think any Muslim familiar with the Islamic prayer will recognize the parellel structure. Below is the prayer I designed and I would very much appreciate any feedback on it. (Note that I am a computer programmer, so I wrote the prayer as a computer program.)
Code:
function pray_in_english(reps)
stand
"Yehovah most high" (Psalm 7:17) raise hands
for rep = 1 to reps do
stand, hands on chest
"The arrogant ridicule me, but I do not turn away from your teaching. I remembered your judgments from history, Yehovah, and found comfort. I remembered your name, Yehovah, in the night, and I will keep your teaching. Keep me from a false way and show me your teaching. I have chosen a way of truth." (Psalm 119:51,52,55,29,30)
"Yehovah most high" raise hands
hands on knees
3X "Your teaching is my delight." (Psalm 119:77)
stand
"Give me understanding and I will observe your teaching, and I will keep it with all my heart." (Psalm 119:34)
"Yehovah most high" bow
3X "Your teaching is truth." (Psalm 119:142)
"Yehovah most high" sit
"Give me understanding and I will live." (Psalm 119:144)
"Yehovah most high" bow
3X "Your teaching is truth."
"Yehovah most high" sit
if rep==2 or rep==reps then
"Yehovah is our god, Yehovah is one." (Deuteronomy 6:4)
end
end
"God of vengeance, Yehovah, God of vengeance, show yourself. Rise up, judge of the earth, repay the proud. How long will the wicked, Yehovah, how long will the wicked rejoice and spout arrogance? All the doers of evil crush your people, Yehovah, and defile your inheritance. Will a destructive government that makes trouble by law be joined to you? They band together against righteous souls and condemn innocent blood. But Yehovah is my stronghold and my god is the rock of my refuge. And he will bring on them their wickedness, and for their evil he will destroy them, Yehovah, our god, will destroy them." (Psalm 94:1-5,20-23)
"Praise Yehovah all nations, commend him all peoples. Because he has great kindness for us and Yehovah's truth is eternal. Praise Yehovah." (Psalm 117)
turn right/left "Peace and the mercy of Yehovah be on you."
(in mosque)
turn right/left "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah"
end
