My colleague and Spiritual Leader, Rabbi Arnold Gluck, has offered inspiration and courage at a time when we are fearful and anxious and we don’t know what tomorrow may bring.
“Now, more than ever, we need each other. We need the calming reassurance that we are not alone, that we have each other, and that we will support and help each other to get through this-and we will get through this!
Now, more than ever, we need God. We need the bedrock of faith that reminds us of what is eternal and unchanging, even has so much has changed. We need to remember that the most powerful force in our lives is love-the love God wove into the fabric of existence, a love that is stronger than any virus or illness of plague that might beset us.
Now, more than ever, we need prayer. Not the kind of prayer that asks God to change the laws of nature. We know such things are impossible; God and prayer do not work that way.
We need the kind of prayer that opens our hearts to give and receive the love that will sustain us, the love that will quell our anxiety and give us strength to bear the burdens of this crisis, the love that will keep us connected to each other, to God, and to hope.
Dear God,
Give us strength to bear the burdens,
the fears and anxieties,
the demand of this trying time.
Sooth our troubled spirits
With the warmth of Your love
and the assurance that you are with us always.
Help us to see the light amidst the darkness.
Open our eyes to the beauty of the world around us
and within each and everyone of us.
Bless us with courage.
Bless us with hope.
Bless us with faith
that a new day will dawn
And the light of Your peace will shine upon us all.”
Rabbi Hirshel Jaffe, a cancer survivor, is a motivational/inspirational speaker on the theme NEVER GIVE UP! He authored “Why Me? Why Anyone?” which chronicles his rescue from leukemia and his spiritual triumph over despair. Known as “The Running Rabbi” for competing in the NY Marathon, he received the “Award of Courage” from President Ronald Reagan in a White House ceremony. Rabbi Jaffe was one of the clergy who visited the American hostages in Iran to offer them comfort and hope and was asked by the President to greet them at the White House upon their return. He received an honorary Doctorate from his seminary for “his work with the sick, and his noble influence upon all people. You can follow him on Facebook.
Image courtesy of Jonatan Pie.
