Rabbi Andrew Goodman, director of Jewish life and campus rabbi for the University of Richmond, delivered this invocation at the Humanitarian Awards ceremony presented by the Richmond Chapter of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities on Oct. 27 at the downtown Marriott:
* * * * *
We gather together tonight to honor those
who are symbols of hope in a world too often wrought with despair.
We celebrate the havens they are working to create
in the midst of an increasingly chaotic world.
We publically acknowledge our gratitude to those who show us that,
truly, we ARE ALL our brothers' keepers.
* * * * *
And so, tonight, in the (adapted) words of Rabbi Jack Riemer, I offer this prayer:
* * * * *
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end war;
For we know that You have made the world in a way
So that all of us must find our own path to peace,
Within ourselves and with our neighbors.
* * * * *
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end hunger;
For you have already given us the resources
With which to feed the entire world,
If we would only use them wisely.
* * * * *
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to root out our prejudice;
For You have already given us eyes
With which to see the good in all people,
If we would only use them rightly.
* * * * *
We cannot merely pray to you, O God, to end despair;
For You have already given us the power
To clear away slums and to give hope,
If we would only use our power justly.
* * * * *
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end disease;
For You have already given us great minds
With which to search out cures and healing,
If we could only use them constructively.
* * * * *
Therefore, we pray to You instead, O God,
For strength, determination, and courage,
To do instead of just to pray
To become instead of merely to wish;
That our world may be whole,
And that our lives may be blessed.
Amen.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement