Wednesday, November 26, 2008

THANKS

We proclaim that You are the Lord our God and God of our ancestors throughout all time. You are the Rock of our lives, the Shield of our salvation in every generation. We thank You and praise You morning, noon, and night for Your wondrous kindnesses. Our lives are in Your hand; our souls are in Your charge. You are good, with everlasting mercy; You are compassionate, with enduring lovingkindness. We have always placed our hope in You.

For all these blessings we shall ever praise and exalt You.

May every living creature thank You and praise You faithfully, our deliverance and our help. Praised are You, beneficent Lord to whom all praise is due.


The above is the “Modim” prayer, part of the Amidah - nineteen benedictions (seven on the Sabbath) recited thrice daily by observant Jews.

The need to express thanks to a Higher Power is - on this planet, anyway - a uniquely human need. And whether or not you believe in such a Higher Power, and regardless of the form such beliefs may take, it’s probably not a bad thing to acknowledge that the miracles of everyday life are something to be appreciated, something for which to be grateful.

In America, we have a holiday set aside for that very purpose...but in a land where, despite whatever temporary setbacks there may be, most people have it pretty frickin’ good, every day ought to be Thanksgiving Day. Can I have an “Amen”?

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