God, our Light, Israel at seventy-five
is a miracle before our eyes.
Zion weeps tears of gratitude and joy,
Her children are flourishing, her cities teeming with promise
and innovation.
We marvel at this tiny nation, ancient and new.
Jerusalem’s holy golden stones safe beneath the Iron Dome.
There is so much to be thankful for,
Yet our hearts can’t help but ache for all the sacrifice,
All the precious lives lost to terror and war,
Grieving parents whose children are no more.
Send comfort O God and blessings and strength.
Spread Your shelter over Israel, over all who live there.
Protect the men and women who defend the land,
Hear their prayers. Bring peace, God.
Let it rain down from the heavens like a mighty storm,
Let it wash away all hatred and bloodshed.
We pray for the day
When the sound of sirens will give way to songs of celebration.
Let the skeptics roll their eyes,
A two thousand-year-old hope will never die.
Guardian of Israel, in these fragile days of protest and unrest,
Fill Israel’s leaders with humility and wisdom
To protect democracy and justice.
So long as there is breath within us
Our people must speak out with all their might
To defend what is right.
Prophecies of old can still come true,
A psalm on David’s lyre still soothes,
The fire the Maccabees lit still burns,
Our Jewish heart still yearns.
We remember the hope,
The lamb and the lion,
All of us,
All of us,
Dreaming of Zion.
Bless Israel with peace, God.
Please, God.
Amen