:: Worship

The Power of Prayer

“Prayers invite God to let the Divine Presence suffuse our spirits.  To let the Divine Will prevail in our lives.  Prayer cannot bring water to a parched field, nor mend a broken bridge, nor rebuild a ruined city, but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart and rebuild a weakened will.”  
(page 75, Gates of Prayer)

     This meditation in our Shabbat service speaks to the nurturing power of prayer.  And indeed prayer has been a staple of daily life of the Jew for centuries.  But what role does prayer play in our lives today?  In our fast-paced world we often do not take the time for prayer.  So many congregants over the years have said, “I still do not feel I know how to pray.”  Many of us grew up in our Reform movement when the prophetic call was louder and stronger than the call to prayer, and such feelings are not unique.  But our discomfort does not negate the strong need we have for the spiritual life or the benefits it offers us.  The reflective nature of prayer is powerful.  In fact, a Harvard longevity study showed that those who attend regular services or had developed the spiritual side of life had healthier, happier and longer lives.  One element of prayer is that it keeps one from never feeling alone.  We can find a closeness with God, and also with those around us, as we have the wonderful tradition of praying in a communal setting.  Coming to services reminds us that we are part of a community.

     When we gather to pray, we are not alone. We come together as a community with melodies and liturgy that have been handed down from generation to generation. This legacy is now our own.  What will we do in this time together?  What will it grow in our souls? We sit together with memories of the past and aspirations for the future. As we join together in prayer, may we find hope, inspiration and meaning.  May the words and songs of our tradition inspire us to find the simple power of prayer.  May the time we spend in our sanctuary lead us to a better tomorrow.  May it lead us through the doors of our Temple to find our God, our people and our congregation.  This is our prayer and our hope as well.

- Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig