If Orwell wrote Practical Prayers

Seth Godin quoted Orwell's rules in the context of business writing. The same ideas apply to the prayers we create. Here are Orwell's rules, edited by Seth:

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. You don't need cliches.

2. Never use a long word where a short one will do. Avoid long words.

3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

4. Never use the passive where you can use the active. Write in the now.

5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. When in doubt, say it clearly.

6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous. Better to be interesting than to follow these rules. (OK, this one is better for novel than for prayer. Change it to "break any of these rules sooner than say anything that does not resonate within you as Truth". - Bill)