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<\/a><\/div>\nOften times, we outsmart ourselves. Over-think things, over-analyze, study, weigh carefully before we decide to act. These are generally accepted principles for decision making. In many cases, this process makes a lot of sense. In others, it is the treadmill to oblivion. Bear with me here.<\/p>\n
One of the hallmarks of the Marine Corps, that strange monastic-like, military order I was affiliated with, is very simple. It is \u201cspeed.\u201d In the parlance of the military, it is called operational tempo<\/em>. And no military organization matches the Marine Corps in wielding this force multiplier.<\/em> It is honed by constant practice, and just when you least expect it, we\u2019re upon the foe. It really burns people sometimes, even our friends.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have two companies of MARINES running all over this island and thousands of ARMY troops doing nothing!\u201d \u2014General John Vessey, USA, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, comments on Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada 1983.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Speed in moving across terrain, for example, is a given for Marines. But tactical speed also includes making speedy decisions. In combat, there is no time for analysis. This should not shock you, but the Marine Corps has an acronymn for putting this decision making tool into action. It is SMEAC (pronounced Smee-Ack) and it is what we call the Five Paragraph Order:<\/p>\n S<\/strong>ituation<\/em>, M<\/strong>ission<\/em>, E<\/strong>xecution<\/em>, A<\/strong>dmin & Logistics<\/em>, C<\/strong>ommand and Signals.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Force, applied with speed, \u00a0ensures victory. All kinds of military geniuses will testify to this. Oh, you want to sit back and keep assessing the enemy\u2019s strength? Keep training because you\u2019re not quite ready to commit your forces? Not quite sure you have have all the knowledge needed to decide correctly? You\u2019ll be toast if you ever face me and my Marines. Or you\u2019ll be remembered fondly (not!) like General McClellan from the America Civil War is (not!).<\/p>\n Military Genius Quote #1:<\/p>\n The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan. \u2014Prussian General Karl von Clausewitz, On War<\/strong>, 1832<\/em><\/p>\n Military Genius Quote #2:<\/p>\n Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy\u2019s unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions. Military Genius Quote #3:<\/p>\n Hurry the Hell UP! I said move NOW!!!<\/em> \u2014SSgt Burgess, Sgt. Walcott, Sgt. Slusser, Drill Instructors, 3rd Battallion, MCRD Parris Island SC, practically every. waking. moment. during boot camp.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n By now you\u2019re thinking, \u00a0\u201cFrank, what has this got to do with prayer?\u201d Well, it\u2019s Lent, you know? The season of prayer, alms giving, and fasting. About the prayer part? Well, you aren\u2019t doing it enough. And you spend entirely to much time preparing to pray, too. It happens to me sometimes, but not so much.<\/p>\n Maybe you think it\u2019s complicated. Or you\u2019re not ready. Or you don\u2019t know how, except you do know the Our Father. Or maybe you think you don\u2019t have time. I can\u2019t pray the Rosary at work, you say. No time, no privacy. Too busy, you are. Yes\u2026too busy to pray. Maybe you think you can only pray in the parish sanctuary? Hey, if you believe God is your Father, and Jesus, then, is your adopted brother, then just talk to them. It\u2019s pretty easy.<\/p>\n What\u2019s stopping you? I don\u2019t know. But I do know this. If you have found yourself making these excuses, then the Devil is using his ability in the operational tempo<\/em> department to put your soul in jeopardy.<\/p>\n Still need some structure? Here is a simple, and yet thoroughly effective way to turn the tables on that loser and come away victorious. It\u2019s called The Jesus Prayer,<\/em> and it goes like this:<\/p>\n Lord Jesus, Have Mercy On Me.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n That\u2019s it. Oh, you want the long and complicated version?<\/p>\n Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Son of the Father, have mercy on me, a sinner.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Simplicity itself. It is the prayer equivalent of Operation Urgent Fury.<\/em> I pray it all the time. Driving to work, for example, or when I\u2019m at the office working on something. You can do it anywhere, mentally. In a situation that has you on edge? Break out the Jesus Prayer. Tempted by something sorely? Break out the Jesus Prayer. Bored while your son or daughter sits on the bench at a soccer game? Pray it. Don\u2019t know what to write for your next blog post? Yep, you guessed it, go pray the LOTH<\/a>, or break out the Jesus Prayer. At Adoration? Lock and load the Jesus Prayer, and fire away.<\/p>\n It works everywhere, in every clime and place, sort of like a Marine. I\u2019ll let Peter Kreeft explain all of the majesty and wonder of this simple prayer in greater detail. He writes a great essay about it over at The Integrated Catholic Life.<\/a><\/em> I first learned of it as I explained in my post on J. D. Salinger <\/a>.<\/p>\n But get this. Stop reading about prayer and get busy praying. Because as Military Genius #4 says,<\/p>\n \u201cHard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking!\u201d \u2014General Ferdinand Foch, message to General Joffre during the Battle of the Marne. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n That is the spirit! St. Paul is smiling now. And so is Gunny Highway.<\/p>\n Semper Fidelis<\/em> \u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u2014 Sun Tzu, The Art of War<\/strong> (late-sixth century BC)<\/em><\/p>\n
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\nUpdate: General George S. Patton, Jr. on prayer.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n