Published 01-10-11
ON TODAY'S SITE:

Nan C. Merrill, a prayer of praise, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, Book of isaiah
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    Photo by Chuck Bowman               All rights reserved


Give praise to the Beloved,
O heavenly hosts,
Sing of Love's glory and strength,
Exalt the glory of Love's name;
Adore the Beloved in holy splendor.

The voice of the Beloved is upon the waters;
Love's voice echoes over the oceans and seas.
The voice of Love is powerful,
majestic is the heart of Love.

...The voice of Love strikes with fire
upon hearts of stone.
The voice of Love uproots the thorns of fear,
Love uproots fear in every open heart.

The voice of Love is heard in every storm,
and strips the ego bare;
And in the heart's chapel, all cry
"Peace and Glory forever!"...



(Based on Psalm 29)
Excerpted from "Psalms for Praying,"
by Nan C. Merrill
continuum, 2009

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Father, my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
I am ever filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit.
I speak out in psalms and hymns and make melody
with all my heart to You, Lord. My happy heart is a
good medicine and my cheerful mind works healing.
The light in my eyes rejoices the heart of others.
I have a good report. My countenance
radiates the joy of the Lord.

Excerpted from "Prayers That Avail Much"
Word Ministries
Harrison House, 1989

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...(W)e can say that there are no words
to describe the Transcendent.

But since, as we believe, God does wish to have some
contact with us, He is prepared to suffer the imprecision
of our language...

If God wishes to hear our prayers and our sincere speech
with Him, He suffers our anthropomorphisms, that is, our
calling on Him by names that are human and in terms
that are limited in their expressiveness.

We say, "If you want us, take us as we are with all our
faults and inadequacies. It is the best we have to offer."

The only thing we can do beyond that is to know that
certain things are not exact or true and to be grateful
for the privilege, and the audacity, to say them.



Excerpted from "Pebbles of Wisdom from Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz,"
Collected and with notes by Arthur Kurzweil
Jossey-Bass, 2009