Siddur Writings

I've been taking this class that is intended to result in the writing of several new prayers for our congregation's new prayerbook, or siddur. The teacher reads us prayers and poetry to get us into the spirit of things, tells us which prayers are needed, and then has us write in class. Here are the prayers I've come up with so far.

On seeing a rainbow:

Thank You, Source of all, for the rainbow, the spectrum, the colors that are both many and one. Thank You for its beauty, thank You for the joy, thank You for the blessing. When sun meets rain, when despair meets hope, when warmth and water mingle, colors blossom.

After having a transformative encounter with another person:

A fountain of blessings are You, God, who has touched me in the person of my sister, my brother, my kin. Each of us reaching towards you, we touch each other in kindness, with compassion, for growth. Everyone is different, but each shares sparks of Your holiness, and when we meet, we kindle a gentle, warming fire.

Two prayers for travel:

Source of peace, when Your people camped in the desert, You camped with them, and led them in safety. Please be with us as we travel today. Keep us from illness and accident, and let no harm come to us because of our sexual orientation or gender identity. May we praise You for the beauties we will see and the people we will meet, and may we bring blessing where we travel and return safely home.

There will be new dust on my shoes, new tastes in my mouth, new sounds in my ears. I'm planning a journey, God and I don't want to leave You behind. Come with me as we drive, ride, fly, sail, and wait in line. Let us together face the fears and joys of the new. Let us together see the beauty in places and persons. Let us travel together, safe from illness, accident, or injury, and return home in peace.

And three versions of Birkat Hagomel, the blessing for recovery from serious illness or the safe return from a long journey. Each includes the pray-er's prayer and a congregational response:

P: Thank You, Source of blessings, for blessing me, sustaining me, and bringing me safely here -- back to my home, back to my health, back to my synagogue family.
C: We also thank God for these blessings, and welcome you back to us. May God continue to bless you.

P: There were times when I wondered if I was going to make it. But here I am, back with you, thank God.
C: Amen.

P: It's good to be here, now, with you.
C: Hinei ma tov.