Urban Thought Collective

THE DIVINE PLAN WILL PREVAIL

One of the things I’m working to reprogram myself on is to pray for the Divine plan to manifest rather than what I want. Sometimes it’s difficult because I believe what I want is right. But I’m learning that it’s more important, more peaceful, more harmonious (between myself and the world) when I silence my ego – the part of me that wants to be right and show everybody I’m right – and go with the flow of the Divine plan that is already unfolding before me.

So what do you do when you see something taking place you believe in your heart of hearts isn’t right?

That’s the question I struggled with while keeping an eye on the Troy Davis case.

In 1991, Troy Davis was convicted of shooting Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail to death when he responded to an altercation in the parking lot of Burger King. He was sentenced to death, yet, there was no physical evidence presented at the trial and no murder weapon. His conviction was based on witness testimony. Seven of the nine witnesses have recanted their testimony, with most of them citing police tampering or coercion. One of the witnesses said he was pressured to sign a statement implicating Davis. He did even though he’s illiterate.

The prosecution’s lead witness, Dorothy Ferrell, also changed her testimony, stating she never saw the shooter. She said she fingered Davis in her original testimony because she was on parole and was threatened to have it revoked if she didn’t cooperate.

One of the witnesses who have not changed his testimony, Sylvester Coles, went to police the day after the shooting stating that Davis was the person who pulled the trigger, but Davis’ defense team believes he’s the trigger man.

The eve of Davis’ execution (Tuesday, September 22) Attorney Carol Gray, who’s been assisting the defense team, circulated a press release about a new witness, one who hasn’t been interviewed by the prosecution or defense. She’s looking for the clerk of the motel, which has a clear view of the parking lot of Burger King. According to Gray, a witness heard the clerk scream after shots rang.

The day of the execution, I thought what more can be done? Everybody from former President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Pope Benedict XVI to Harry Belafonte, and Susan Sarandon has requested a new trial for him. Grassroots efforts like protests and making calls to the Georgia Board of Parole and Pardons were taking place while his lawyers were scrambling around to get a stay of execution.

What else? What else?

I realized you just have to pray about it. That’s when I also realized a couple things: (1) It should be the first thing I do and (2) Be aware of what I’m praying for.

I think it’s imperative to be conscious of what we’re praying for. Sarah Palin said in front of her church congregation that the war is God’s plan. Is it? How does she know? She doesn’t. She knows that’s what she’s hoping it is. It doesn’t make it the truth. And whatever I’m hoping for doesn’t make it the Divine plan.

So, I’ve decided that when I pray for the Divine plan to be done I will envision peace and harmony for all involved, no matter the results and to trust that whatever happens is exactly what was designed to happen and it’s for the greatest and highest good for all. No questions. No doubts. And keep moving forward.

Less than two hours before he was scheduled to die, the U.S. Supreme Court delayed Davis’ execution. He has another week or so to live, at least until the Court decides whether they will hear his case.

I’ll be praying.

To UTC readers: In all that we seek to be or do or have, we humbly realize that in the Presence is our power to think, our very thought of aspiration, our will to commence, our strength to keep on, our power to achieve, and the glory of all our accomplishments. This is the Truth and it is now done. ~ A prayer from “Discover the Power Within You”

Envisioning you with much love, light and fulfillment. See you next week.

Yaminah Ahmad is editor-in-chief of The Atlanta Voice and contributing editor to Collective Voices, a newspaper published by the non-profit, SisterSong: Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective. More information on the group can be found at www.sistersong.net. Ahmad can be reached at missyaminah@gmail.com.