A friend sent me a link to one of the most moving prayer-songs I’ve heard recently, presented by the Cantors of Park Avenue Synagogue. It is Avinu Malkeinu, a song used on all fast days in the Jewish religion. In synagogues around the world last Sunday, on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, it was sung after the main prayer and just before the Torah readings.
It seems particularly relevant this year. Take a few moments out of your day, and let your soul resonate with people everywhere as it moves you to pray. Note that this is not about “me” but about “we.” We are in this season together, with the whole human family.
This is a time like no other in our lifetimes. It is a time recognize our corporate pain, our corporate lostness without God’s mercy and grace, and our call to live into the fullness of love: love of God; and love neighbor (which is what justice is all about), and love of self within our community of faith.
Here is the link: https://youtu.be/cFZJR9yQpEY Below is a translation of the Hebrew into English:
Hear our prayer
We have sinned before Thee
Have compassion upon us and upon our children
Help us bring an end to pestilence, war, and famine
Cause all hate and oppression to vanish from the earth
Inscribe us for blessing in the Book Of Life
Let the new year be a good year for us.
May it be so! ~ Anne
Wayfinding 