Let’s unite in prayer for our nation

How many of us knew that the first Thursday in May is National Prayer Day? Where does this day come from and who declared this day for prayer? Finally what should we pray about?

In 1952, Congress enacted and President Harry S. Truman signed legislation to designate one day out of the year for prayer for the nation by the American people. President Ronald Reagan established the custom that the observance of this day would be the first Thursday in May. That Thursday fell on May 5 is this year. Each subsequent president has chosen to observe this day publicly or privately.

I must confess that I was unaware of this special day through all the years of my rabbinate. Yet, I like the idea of having a national day of prayer. Surely there is a lot we as Americans can pray for given the political tumult we see each night on cable news. If only it was a day when religions could join together and offer prayers to uplift our nation with the hope we can cherish our belief in God which will lead us to being respectful of each other.

So I thought I would give it a try and offer my own prayer in honor of National Prayer Day.

“Sovereign of the Universe and Source of all humanity.

Humbly we raise our voices to You with the hope that You will hear our humble supplication on this day of communal worship. We beseech You to bestow upon our nation and all its inhabitants a renewed spirit of unity as Americans. Help us to see through the fog of prejudice and hatred so that we can embrace the light of Your presence. Guide us to remember every day that all human beings are created in Your image. Enable us to rise to the moral high ground and behold the beauty not only of our blessed land but of the people who work and yearn for a harmony that binds us together as a great people who stand up for justice and righteousness on behalf of all Americans.

We pray for the elected officials who serve us with the hope that they conduct their work and their lives in a manner befitting the offices they hold. Imbue them with the wisdom to represent all the peoples of this country as they stay true to their beliefs and convictions. Teach them to work with their colleagues and to find the best solutions to our nation’s problems.

Fervently we pray that you will watch over the men and women who defend this nation by serving in the armed forces of our country. Watch over them and bring them back to their families speedily and in good health.

Dear God, the source of all blessings, as we open our hearts to You for inspiration we ask that You fill us with the spirit of acceptance of all Americans who represent the beautiful spectrum of peoples and religions that preserve Your Holy Words. Instill in us the will to study and learn about our own faith traditions and to respect other religious and non-religious groups which embrace the same values we all uphold.

We pray to You that the day will come, the day we yearn for, as spoken by our Prophets of old,”Let every person sit under their vine and fig tree and none shall make them afraid.” Banish forever the fear that divides us and bring us closer to the warmth of Your love and to the goodness that You breathed into the hearts, the souls and the minds of all our citizens.”

As we enter our houses of worship this weekend, let us reflect carefully about how prayer can help us to see the big picture that we are all together in this great experiment of democracy.

Making America a great nation depends upon faith and the will to work for and to earn the privilege of calling ourselves Americans. May it be God’s will.”

This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 5:48 AM with the headline "Let’s unite in prayer for our nation."