Nelson's Prayer
Before the Battle of Trafalgar, October 21st, 1805 Nelson's prayer was recorded on paper for posterity.
He prayed:
May the Great God, whom I worship, grant to my country and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may no misconduct in anyone tarnish it; and may humanity, after victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet.
For myself individually, I commit my life to Him that made me, and may His blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To Him I resign myself, and the Just cause, which is entrusted to me to defend.
Amen
A man, who by the great authority given him and who was afforded great power, was still so humble as to recognise that God Himself was above all and hence came in humility before the God of all creation and simply prayed that in God's will, fairness, justice and prosperity would be the outcome of an unfortunate but necessary war, for the benefit of many.
He asked no great fame or reward for himself.
We would do well to learn from such a prayer from such a man.