Princely Preparations!

From Rabbi Pete Tobias of the Liberal Synagogue, Elstree:

The events in Israel/Palestine are so horrific that sometimes it’s hard to feel anything other than horror and despair. So as a rabbi, I believe what's needed is prayer. Here’s the sort of prayer that I earnestly hope will one day arise from that devastated region:

God of Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac

God of every human on this fragile earth

Help me recognise the good that dwells within me:

The potential that’s created at my birth.

Help me understand the future of this planet

Will not be shaped by missiles, tanks or guns,

That to use Your name to justify our hatred

Is just nonsense. Help me learn that we’re the ones

In whom resides the choice of good or evil

That our destiny is in our hearts and hands

That rockets bringing murder and destruction

Was not the role of humans in Your plans.

As I look upon the wreckage of the building

Where I lived and that I used to call my home

As I watch my father clutch my broken sister

To his heart which turns from flesh and blood to stone

Swearing cold revenge on those who made this happen.

Speak to me, I beg You God, with different lines.

Remind me that this is not what You wanted;

Plant in me a vision of a future time

Where our goals are not to rectify a grievance

Or to claim some territory we think we own

But to find an answer to Your constant question

Asking us if we have learned, if we have grown.

So help us, God of Abraham and Ishmael,

God of Isaac and of everyone there is

When we turn to you to ask for hope and guidance

Help us understand that what you want is this:

To seek not revenge, but reconciliation

Not to hate, but try instead to understand

That all humans want and ask and need and yearn for

Is to live our lives exactly as You planned:

To appreciate Your world and one another,

To plant seeds of love wherever we might dwell

To raise families in peaceful homes, in safety

And ensure that others live like this as well.

To recognise that You’re in every person

And see Your face in all women and men.

May we help to bring about this understanding

Soon, in our days, and let us say ‘Amen’.