Eternal Creator,
God of all nations,
Our Guide and Helper throughout the generations,
Be with us in changing and trying times.
Help us to understand that our place in the world
As a light to the nations
Can direct us, if we so choose, to be exemplars
Of attentiveness to the blessings in life that we enjoy
Of gratitude for the gifts that come our way
Of strength, grace and dignity in the face of challenge.
Of a sense that, when we are placed in positions of authority, our approach can be one of seeing the awesome responsibility placed into our hands and hearts.
Help us extend our hands to other people who,
Like our ancestors,
Have faced prejudice, uncertainty, hatred, and even violent attacks.
Remind us to stand tall when the accusations of the past
Return to the surface of society right before our eyes
So that we will join with many voices to decry canards that should have been put to rest long ago.
Open our eyes and ears to those who would approach us with love and care.
Prevent us from ignoring or excusing seeming expressions of support that fall disappointingly short of their mark.
May we respond with fortitude and with the tone of an educator
When others fail to understand how our past informs out present
So that we can identify the words of condemnation of bigotry we hope to hear from peers and leaders,
Bigotry not just against our community
But leveled at members of any group who, like us,
Seek to live the best of their values and teachings,
Whether they be represented by Ten Commandments,
Or a statement that demands that we treat others as we want to be treated.
Help us build bridges, Eternal God of all peoples, when we know that barriers and walls just won’t do.
Be our hope; be our source of wisdom; and grant us, always, peace.
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