Each year I direct our prayerful attention to some of the holy days on the Jewish calendar: last week, Rosh Hashana (beginning a new year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), begining this year at sundown today and ending at sunset tomorrow, September 21.
In traditional Judasim, repentance consists of remorse having committed a sin, resolving not to commit that sin in the future, and confessing that sin before God. While repentance for one’s sins can and should be done at any time, it is considered especially desirable during the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and particularly on Yom Kippur itself. Thus, the Yom Kippur prayers contain extended confessions which list varieties of errors and sins, and to which one can add their own missteps, along with requests for forgiveness from God.
While we don’t observe or keep these feasts as Christians, they invite us to prayer in profound ways. Once again, I turn to Alden Solovy over at To Bend Light and one of his prayers for Yom Kippur.
There is something else,
I must show You,
And secret.
Part sadness.
Part anger.
Part fear.
There is something else,
I must tell You,
It’s hard
And heavy.
Part pride.
Part guilt.
Part shame.
There is something else,
I need from You,
It’s ancient
And new.
Part Torah.
Part Mitzvot.*
Part joy and love and light.
God of Justice,
God of Mercy,
Hear my plea.
Wait for me to return to You.
Stay as I struggle to live my life as a blessing,
According to Your wisdom,
According to Your law,
According to Your word.
*There are 613 mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures.
Today may You strengthen us,
Today may You bless us,
Today may You exalt us, Amen.
Today may You inscribe us for a good life,
Today may You hear our cry, Amen.
Today may You sustain us
