With Hanukkah which begins at sundown on Dec. 7 this year, we remember a miracle – that of oil need to light the candles in the Temple lasting for eight days instead of one.
Rev. AndreaGrace has been thinking a lot about miracles. There are miracles when the expected course of action is changed – like the oil lasting for eight days not one. Life, itself, is a miracle. Our bodies are miracles. The course of our lives is a miracle.
That our Jewish sisters and brothers survived the Holocaust is a miracle.
And one of my favorite miracles is Dr. Ed Klugman. Ed was on the last KinderCar, part of the KinderTransport system, an “underground railroad” of sorts that saved 10,000 children before the outbreak of World War II. Most of the children were Jewish. Ed has lived a rich life, promoting education, intergenerational engagement and peace – among other things. AndreaGrace has learned so much from Ed and his beautiful daughter, Kerri.
Last year, Ed asked AndreaGrace to write a prayer for the KinderTransport survivors who meet regularly.
She offers this prayer again on Hanukkah – with prayers for World Peace and healing, especially in the Middle East.
A Prayer for Peace
Oh Divine One, known by so many names and none at all
Oh Spirit of Peace and all that is good, all that is holy and all that makes us whole:
We come thanking You
for the gifts of life and love, of healing and peace;
for all of the Wisdom Teachers and prophets – religious and secular
who have helped us understand and experience Your peace;
for those who have worked for peace and
for those who have extended peace to us like doves who brought us olive branches -
offering forgiveness, protection, sanctuary, unity, reconciliation… shalom.
Please forgive us, have mercy on us and help us make amends
for all the times we have failed to love
and we have dominated and created strife and divisions.
Show us Your way of peace.
Dissolve our illusions of separateness.
Foster in us compassion for and commitment to the unity of our one global family.
Turn our hearts and lives towards You, Oh Holy One.
We lift up to You all who lead and all who provide care…
help us to treasure and nurture...
each child as if we had birthed them,
each elder as if they were our beloved grandparent,
each person as if they were our best friend,
and Mother Earth, the one who gives us life.
Please fill us and our culture with compassion and mercy, kindness and generosity, serenity and courage, appreciation and gratitude.
Be our guide and companion.
Make us co-creators overflowing with beauty, curiosity, playfulness and joy.
Make us col-labor-ators who work together with synergy and effortless action.
Grant us the vision, wisdom, courage, fortitude and resilience to
rebuild systems and structures so they are equitable and just and all may flourish.
Make our homes, classrooms and communities places where paz flows and is learned.
Inspire our educators to incorporate curriculum and experiences that cultivate paz.
Oh Divine One, make us instruments of your healing, peace and love.
May each of us recognize that we are a Divine Spark who can illuminate the world!
May each of us allow peace to ripple out from our own lives and homes.
In Your Many Holy Names we hope and pray and trust.
Amen. Ameen. Ashay and So it is.
You may download the prayer here.
PS – You may be interested in Ed’s book: The Global healing Curriculum Project: Promoting Intergenerational Healing and Bridging Trauma to Hope & Well-Being
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