One great thing (among many) about our Classical Reform predecessors is that they had a way with words. Their english liturgy were some of the most moving
piyyutim I have ever read. One in particular, often called "The Coal Miners Prayer" I especially like. It was called that by later generations of Reform Jews who said that it didn't speak to contemporary Jews, especially when
Gates of Prayer was published in 1975. I think the prayer is very fitting especially with the coal mine disaster of this month in West Virginia. Here is the prayer from Newly Revised Edition of the
Union Prayer Book of 1940:
O Lord, Though we are prone to seek favors for ourselves alone, yet when we come into Thy presence, we are lifted above petty thoughts of self. We become ashamed of our littleness and are made to feel that we can worship Thee in holiness only as we serve our brothers in love.
How much we owe to the labors of our brothers! Day by day they idg far away from the sun that we may be warm, enlist in outposts of peril that we may be secure and brave the terrors of the unkonwn for truths that shed light on our way. Numberless gifts and blessings have been laid in our cradles as our birthright.
Let us then, O Lord, be just and great-hearted in our dealings with our fellowmen, sharing with them the fruit of our common labor, acknowledging before Thee that we are but stewards of whatever we possess. Help us to be among those who are willing to sacrifice that others may not hunger, who dare to be bearers of light in the dark lonliness of stricken lives, who struggle and even bleed for the triumph of righteousness among men. So may we be co-workers with Thee in the building of Thy kingdom which has been our vision and goal through the ages.
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Thank you for sharing these beautiful words which speak with strength and gentleness about our debt not only to those who once and still struggle on our behalf in the coal mines but also to our sisters and brother everywhere who provide us with sustenance and security. We give thanks as well to those who bend in the fields, toil on decks of fishing boats, and represent us in foreign lands. With God's help, their selfless labors ensure that our lights burn bright, our tummies are full, our children have dreams for the future,...
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful and still timely prayer.
ReplyDeleteThe fact it has fallen out of use reflects our increasing distance from the sources of our energy, much as we are more distanced from the sources of our food.
When the prayer was written, many people still had coal-burning furnaces. Coal was delivered to homes and busineses and it was easy to acknowledge the connection between miners and having a warm home or shop in the winter. Now, energy simply comes into our homes, and even if it is partly generated by burning coal, we don't associate our energy with the people who actually provide the raw material, be they coal miners or wind farm technicians.
With food, we've begun to reverse the trend by supporting farmers' markets, trying to buy local produce, etc.
I think that even recalling this prayer makes us more energy aware.