This meditation was inspired by a writing workshop I conducted for teens. One youth asked if howling at the moon could be a prayer. We went outside and howled at the moon, but I told them to howl with kavanah, with an intention of prayer. They invented a word – ‘Wowl’ – combining ‘howl’ with ‘wow.’ It means: ‘howling with the intent of prayer.’ They wrote a prayer called “Wowl-ing to G-d,” which I’ve already posted.

Howling at the Moon
What freedom
To dance in the rain, cool and clean,
On a warm summer afternoon?

Let me honor Your works.
Let me celebrate Your splendor.
Let me rejoice in Your creation.

What joy
To sit on the beach, empty and quiet
As the sun rises to meet the morning tide?

Let me listen for Your voice.
Let me hear Your whisper.
Let me know Your word.

What glory
To howl at the moon, full and bright,
Hanging majestic in the eastern sky?

Let me sing Your praise.
Let me shout Your glory.
Let me exalt Your majesty.

© 2017 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: See also “Come Walk,” a prayer in the voice of the spiritual traveler that also uses moon imagery.

Please check out my ELItalk video, “Falling in Love with Prayer,” and This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day. For reprint permissions and usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” To receive my latest prayers via email, please subscribe (on the home page). You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo Source: NASA