Thursday, March 19

John 3: 17-21

A Prayer for the World

Let the rain come and wash away the ancient grudges, 
the bitter hatreds held and nurtured over generations. 
Let the rain wash away the memory of the hurt, the neglect. 
Then let the sun come out and fill the sky with rainbows. 
Let the warmth of the sun heal us wherever we are broken. 
Let it burn away the fog so that we can see each other clearly. 
So that we can see beyond labels, beyond accents, gender or skin color. 
Let the warmth and brightness of the sun melt our selfishness. 
So that we can share the joys and feel the sorrows of our neighbors. 
And let the light of the sun be so strong that we will see all people as our neighbors. 
Let the earth, nourished by rain, bring forth flowers to surround us with beauty. 
And let the mountains teach our hearts to reach upward to heaven. 
Amen. 

--Rabbi Harold S. Kushner for PARADE MAGAZINE, March 23, 2003--