I’ve recently learned from Streetsblog that a church choir director from the suburbs of Washington DC is leading groups around the nation in prayers for lower gas prices.
“God, deliver us from these high gas prices,” Twyman said. “That’s all they have to say.”
THAT should work, right?
According to a San Franciso Chronicle article, Rocky Twyman has been traveling around the country staging pray-ins: “God is the only one we can turn to at this point,” said Twyman, 59. “Our leaders don’t seem to be able to do anything about it. The prices keep soaring and soaring.”
To his credit, Twyman also points out that we mortals have to take some responsibility for ourselves:
Twyman knows his approach to gasoline prices may sound simplistic. He’s quick to point out that anyone praying for cheaper fuel also has an obligation to do something more active about the problem.
“People have to walk more, leave those cars at home, and carpool, man,” he said. “We have to become more practical.”
Well, yeah. And for a few extra spiritual points, how about this:
photo by ACUPOFGREENTEA
Ha! You think petrol (gas) prices are expensive in the U.S? It’s the equivalent of about $6 or more a gallon in many Northern European countries and rising. BUT we do generally drive less and have smaller cars and have better public transport as well as cycle paths in many countries.
I think a major step in the right direction would be to elect local and national politicians who support these things. Less praying perhaps and more positive ACTION by both politicians and all of us individually as citizens like car-pooling, cycling, taking public transport and walking where possible. Good to see people like you doing your bit to change things. Keep up the good work 😉
Thanks for stopping by Christina! Your ideas are all great and I can attest to the fact that there is a momentum toward more sustainable transportation here in NYC and to a growing degree around the country. We are fortunate here to have a pretty extensive 24-hour public transportation system (available for a flat monthly rate), and many of us feel that a better, safer cycling network is the logical next step.
As for gas prices, it doesn’t help that two of our presidential candidates are calling for a gas tax holiday (not QUITE as dumb as asking God for lower prices, but barely). Why don’t they ask God for smaller cars? Or better public transportation? Oops, God doesn’t make cars, buses, and subways… humans do…