Different Ways to Pray

The natural world is consistently present in “Different Ways to Pray,” acknowledging the importance of and respect for nature. In Islam, Khalifah stands for the idea that everyone should function as a guardian of earth, treating earth—and all nature—with respect. Many Muslims believe that humans are meant to care for and protect the earth. In “Different Ways to Pray,” nature repeatedly appears as a symbol for this concept of guardianship, reverence, and respect. For example, Stanza 2 describes the shepherds who call out to a higher power complaining of pain: “We have so much pain there is no place to store it!” (Line 14). However, their prayer goes unanswered. Instead, Nye’s speaker describes their natural surroundings, the “olives [bobbing] peacefully” (Line 15) and how each night “the men ate heartily, flat bread and white cheese” (Line 17). Nye shows that despite the shepherd’s pain, the earth cares for them, providing them with what they need to live abundantly: food, shelter, and peace. They are, as Nye’s speaker puts it, “happy in spite of the pain” (Line 18). Because they are shepherds who watch over their flock (who watch over the earth), nature provides what they need.