A Prayer for This New Week - July 14, 2018

A Prayer for This New Week 

July 14, 2018.

Rabbi Larry Karol

Creator of Land and Sea, Mountain and Valley, 

Sustainer of the processes that renew our world, 

Inspiration for our impulse to enhance our lives with 

Song, story, meditation, and deeper connection with our surroundings 

And with each other,

Heighten our ability to empathize with our brothers and sisters of all ages. 

Help us to recognize and call out hatred when we see it, 

 Bigotry when we experience it, and prejudice when we realize how its long-term consequences diminish who we are. 

Spread kindness when cruelty and hard-heartedness sends lives into chaos without cause. 

Lead us back to hospitality when some would belittle our desire to offer a warm welcome to community member and stranger, friend and guest.

Refocus our vision of reality so that we will better fathom the truths of our society. 

Provide us with the tools to tear down hastily-constructed barriers intended to prevent us from seeing what we still have in common.   

Teach us how to fashion bridges that will overcome wide gulfs of difference and disagreement.   

Look into our souls, reach in with Your caring hand, and open our hearts to the love that is still very much a part of us.  

As You, Eternal God, are the source of light and hope, share them with us generously so that we can positively look forward to the future, always seeing Your light in one another’s eyes.