Spirit of life and love, God of many names and no names,
Today mourning and celebration commingle.
Jubilation and heartache are juxtaposed
We come together searching
Grant us awareness of each others’ hopes and fears
Even across the great divides of red state and blue state,
Urban and rural. Open us to each others’ needs.
Purify our hearts so that those who rejoice do not gloat
And those who grieve do not despair.
Strengthen our ability to be kind to one another
And to ourselves.
Awaken in us the yearning
To build a more perfect union. Let us roll up our sleeves
Whether today we feel exultation or sorrow, and together
Shape a nation of welcome and compassion.
Let ours be a land where no one need fear abuse
Or retribution, where every diversity is celebrated,
Where those who are most vulnerable are protected.
May bigotry and violence vanish like smoke.
Dear friends, may this prayer by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat be the prayer of our hearts this week.
Love,
Penny
if you missed Sunday's service, it was powerful. Take time to watch.
