We Pray for Our Nation and Its Leaders
In large part, I had a sleepless night.
I am so tired of statistics and polls.
47.5% of Americans voted for Donald Trump
47.7% voted for Hillary Clinton.
Yesterday polls said that if Trump became President
21% of Americans would be concerned
37% percent would be scared.
We are a divided nation.
We are an anxious nation.
We are a tired nation.
And the reaction of the world
does not seem too distant from where we are.
Global markets dramatically declined out of fear.
Global leaders are wondering whether America
will close our borders to people and to trade
and reject our global responsibilities.
Sleep today, my friends.
Tomorrow we have a lot of work to do.
We cannot be complacent.
We need to continue, day after day,
to voice our vision and bring others along.
Know your representatives. Know how they are voting.
Know what issues your state and country are debating
and weigh in to the democracy
that is central to our American existence.
Listen not to polls but to people.
Ask questions of those who voted for the other side
and find common ground for moving forward.
Our country was calling for change.
On this morning after,
let us do everything in our power
to make that change as positive as it can be.
As part of Jewish worship, we pray for all
who hold positions of leadership and responsibility
in our national life
We ask that they be blessed
and that they be responsive to God’s will
(which I would also call the greater good)
so that our nation may be to the world
an example of justice and compassion.
May it be so.
9 Comments
Carole November 9, 2016
Thank you for you consoling words. I’ve been dreading facing people today. it will take everything in me to be gracious. Think I will print out your words and keep them on my desk today
Bonnie November 9, 2016
Thank you Rabbi Judy. Your intelligence and introspection always gives us hope.
Carlos November 9, 2016
Thank you Rabbi Judy for your words on this sad and bleak moment
Tammy November 9, 2016
Thank you, Rabbi Judy. Your words were what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you for your leadership and counsel. I will be printing them and keeping on my desk today too. 😉
Linda Bass November 9, 2016
Thank you. I really needed that today!
Joyce November 9, 2016
May your words of wisdom serve as a guide for all of us as we work to make sense of our new challenges. Thank you!
Kira Jahn November 10, 2016
Thank you Rabbi!
Frances & Ron Liss November 10, 2016
Thank you Rabbi Judy for your encouraging words. We really needed to hear them. We can always depend on you
to help make a very bleak situation seem tolerable.. God Bless you and the United States of America.
Sue Korenstein November 11, 2016
Thank you.- a voice of calm, love and leadership, focused and just, replacing my anxiety at this most crucial time.