“Sing with Liberty,” a Prayer of Immigration and Welcoming
This prayer/song is based on “New Colossus,” the sonnet by Emma Lazarus appearing on a plaque inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Those familiar with the sonnet will recognize the images and phrases reflected here; it was written as an antidote to attempted hijackings of the message of the Lazarus poem.
Gratitude for Work
This is a simple prayer of gratitude for having a job. It can be easy to take for granted at times, especially with a challenging job or a difficult boss.
This prayer appears in the Labor Day section of This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day, along with a social justice prayer "Against Worker Exploitation," also very appropriate for this day.” Optional language appears in [brackets].
A Prayer for Memorial Day
Eloheinu v'Elohei avoteinu v'imoteinu - Our God and God of our ancestors
Veterans Day Prayer
Compassionate God, Source of Mercy, we pay tribute to those who have served our country, and express our gratitude for their courage and selflessness, both those among us today and those of generations past.
Memorial Day Prayer
One of the great lessons in democracy was taught by a chaplain during World War II, Rabbi Roland Gittelsohn. Rabbi Gittelsohn helped to dedicate the Fifth Marine Division Cemetery on Iwo Jima in April 1945. Burying the dead was extraordinarily difficult during the battle of Iwo Jima, and so the dedication of the cemetery afterwards was a particularly solemn and disturbing occasion.
Blessing of Armed Forces Personnel
O God, we come before You in gratitude for these men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Many served our country in years gone by. To them, we are indebted for the freedoms we enjoy today.
At the Hand of Violence: A Yizkor Prayer
Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest under your tabernacle of peace
For the Bereaved
Rock of Jacob,
Comfort of Rachel,
Broken and torn,
Shattered and crushed,
Bereaved and bereft,
We declare Your Holy Name.