Posts Tagged ‘Ma’ariv prayers’

 

Dance in the Sky

Posted on: April 12th, 2016 by Alden

Bird DanceThis meditation began as a flight of fancy, exploring the image of dancing with our prayers and blessings in the vast open space of sky. As it unfolded, it evolved to take on echoes of Ma’ariv Aravim, the opening prayer of the Ma’ariv service following Barchu. It could serve as an additional or alternative reading between Barchu and the Shema.

Dance in the Sky
Let me dance in the sky,
With prayers and blessings
For the ones I love,
Raising these hopes
To the gates of heaven.

Let me sing among the stars,
With mystery and magic
For the holiness around us,
Raising these dreams
To the gates of redemption.

For there is music in the dawn,
And blessings at dusk,
A radiance of glory,
Carrying our voices beyond the firmament
To the One who created all being.

Source and Shelter,
You set the course of sun and moon,
Bringing on the evening twilight,
Calling forth time and space,
With majesty and wonder.

Blessed are You,
Soul of the Universe,
Summoning the heavens,
Declaring the reign of holiness.

© 2016 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: See also “Come Walk,” “Prayer with Wings” and “Rise on Wings: A Prayer of Borrowing.”

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Photo Source: Arch20

Evening Blessings

Posted on: November 20th, 2011 by tobendlight

Jewish liturgy includes a set of morning blessings called Birkot Hashachar. Those blessings include a set of one line prayers that remind us of G-d’s gifts of renewal each day. This creates the practice of reciting a daily morning gratitude list. “Evening Blessings” is an attempt to create a night time version of this prayer.

Evening Blessings
Blessed are You, Adonai Our G-d, Sovereign of the universe who has given us (me) the…
…gifts of the body.
…delights of the senses.
…beauty of the heart.
…dignity of the mind.
…radiance of the soul.
…mystery of the spirit.
…blessings of Your Word.
…majesty of Your wisdom.
…presence of Your glory.
…wonder of being.

Blessed are You, Adonai Our G-d, Sovereign of the universe,
For these and all Your gifts, we sanctify and praise Your Holy Name.

© 2011 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: Here’s a link to my version of “Morning Blessings.” Also check out: “Quick Meditation for Today,” “Quick Meditation at Noon,” “Your Name: Quick Prayer at Dusk” and “Quick Meditation at Night.”

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