Another prayer for July 4th

© 2010 Trisha Arlin



Brucha Ya, Ruach HaOlam
Bless Yah, Breath of the universe
Thank you for all the contradictions of Home:

Connection and Independence,
Satisfaction and Frustration
Dull Sameness and Scary Change.

Faith and Skepticism
Patriotism and Rebellion
Cosmic Glue and Holy Separation.

Trust and Disbelief
Joy and Agony
True Perception And Cruel Obtuseness

Kindness and Squabbles
Imprisonment and Picnics
Serene Nature and Fabulous Fireworks.

Home.

Modim Anachnu HaMakom.
Thank you for this place, our country, our home,
the United States of America of many voices,
land of both opportunity and disappointment.

Imperfect but sometimes incredibly glorious, home.
Where doubt can be an act of faith
And all hands are needed.

Amen

A Prayer for Independence Day

© 2010 Trisha Arlin

Bless Yah
Awesone Oneness, wresting freedom from bondage
Essence of the Positive, offering the power to refuse.
Cosmic Glue, teaching holy separation.
Authority Incarnate, loving a good joke.

Bless Yah for this congregation where doubt can be an act of faith.
It is our home.

Bless Yah
Upon Which All Depends, demanding self-determination.
The Still Small Voice, knowing how to make a fuss.
Ruler of the Universe, ensuring that all Empires crumble.
Eternal and Fixed, giving the power to change.

Bless Yah for this Brooklyn of many voices.
It is our home.

Bless Yah
Natural and Beautiful Serenity, enjoying the fireworks.
Compassionate and Kind, keeping the ants from our picnics.
Biblical Warrior, making peace.
Ineffable and Unknowable, anchoring us in community.

And bless Yah for the United States of America, imperfect but sometimes glorious.
It is our home.

Brucha Yah, Ruach Ha Olam, notain lanu atzma-oo-tainu. Modim Anachnu HaMakom.
Bless Yah, Breath of the Universe, giving us our independence. We are thankul for this place.