Have you seen The CW’s new television show, "Aliens in America"? It is about the adventures of a Pakistani teenager named Raja on exchange to Wisconsin. You can watch full length episodes online, and since I am without a TV but laptop ready, "Aliens in America" is my new favorite show.

After his first day at school, Raja is shaken by a episode in class where he is cited for his “Muslimism,” and told that “his people attacked the buildings in New York.” Frustrated, Raja prays the Shahadah in front his host family’s son, Justin.

Raja: What prayers do you recite when you’re upset?

Justin: I… I don’t usually uhh, I don’t really pray that much. Usually I just like, you know, eat a brownie or buy a C.D.

Things I have done when I am upset: Cut my hair. Curled my hair. Blow-dried my hair. Enhanced my hair color with subtle tone enhancing highlights.

For years, I have also recited a prayer that I found on the back of a prayer card sent to our house. As a child, the peace I found in it was less intellectualized than my understanding of the prayer now. Both then and now, I trust Jesus/ God/ the spirit/ the universe/ all that is good to be with me, to surround me with peace in difficult times, not deliver me from these hardships.

“Compassionate Jesus, I remember your gentle invitation to come and be refreshed. I bring you now all my worries, fears, needs and doubts, and those of my world. I entrust to you my loved ones, both living and deceased. Enfold us in all your love, now and forevermore. Amen.”

And if you are wondering if it is possible to recite this prayer while furiously styling a new hairdo or stuffing a chocolate chunk brownie into your mouth, the answer is yes.