ANDRÉ LOUIS ARTHUR ZIRNHELD
(1913-1942)
THE PARATROOPER'S PRAYER
I'm asking You God, to give me what You have left.
Give me those things which others never ask of You.
I don't ask You for rest, or tranquility.
Not that of the spirit, the body, or the mind.
I don't ask You for wealth, or success, or even health.
All those things are asked of You so much Lord,
that you can't have any left to give.
Give me instead Lord what You have left.
Give me what others don't want.
I want uncertainty and doubt.
I want torment and battle.
And I ask that You give them to me now and forever Lord,
so I can be sure to always have them,
because I won't always have the strength to ask again.
But give me also the courage, the energy,
and the spirit to face them.
I ask You these things Lord,
because I can't ask them of myself.
Written by Lieutenant A. Zirnheld, circa 1942
Translated from the original French by Robert Petersen
Parachutiste de la France Libre,
mort au combat en Libye
Compagnon de la Libération - décret du 1er mai 1943
Croix de Guerre 39/45 avec 2 palmes
Military Cross (Great Britain)
This prayer was found on the body of Aspirant (Lieutenant) André Zirnheld, killed in action in Libya, in July 1942, during a raid behind enemy lines. A college philosophy professor before the war, Aspirant Zirnheld served in one of the very first companies of the famed British S.A.S.
Although Zirnheld never served in the Foreign Legion, his prayer has been adopted by all French Paratroopers, the Legion included.
Webmasters Note: I extend my gratitude to Emmanuel Paccoud of Brittany, who provided the initial link from which the information about Andre Zirnheld was obtained; in particular, the more accurate translation of Zirnheld's Prayer.
Anthony W. Pahl
April 12, 2005