Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff, US Navy chaplain (retired), Washington, D.C.
Date of Prayer: 9 August 2022
Date of Prayer: 9 August 2022
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Contribute a translation | Source (English) |
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Almighty God, we pray, reflect, meditate in different ways, but historic cherished words become shared dreams. | |
Elmer Davis wrote “This nation shall be the land of the free Only so long as it is the home of the brave.”[1] Elmer Davis (1890-1958) at the end of the first chapter, “In the Perilous Night,” in But We Were Born Free (1954), p. 115. | |
But not all are yet truly free, and many not so brave. | |
Military heroes risk their lives, But many others lack sufficient courage to speak truth to power, To champion truth over position or career. | |
“Liberty and justice for all,” we pledge,[2] From the Pledge of Allegiance by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931): “I pledge Allegiance to my Flag, [to] the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” in Youth’s Companion, 8 September 1892.”) “Proclaim liberty throughout the land,”[3] Cf. Leviticus 25:10. Emblazoned on our Bell. | |
As war approached, FDR affirmed “Freedom from want” and “freedom from fear”[4] From Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech, as part of his Annual Message to Congress (State of the Union Address) on 6 January 1941. As freedoms more like dreams of better times. | |
The land of the free if the home of the brave – With leaders strong and of good courage who still can say “I have a dream.” Diversity our strength, equality our goal, May we strive for, move toward, liberty and justice for us all. | |
And may we say “Amen.” |
Source(s)
117th Congress, 2nd Session. C-SPAN. Congressional Record, Issue: Vol. 168, No. 134 — Daily Edition (August 9, 2022)
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Notes
1 | Elmer Davis (1890-1958) at the end of the first chapter, “In the Perilous Night,” in But We Were Born Free (1954), p. 115. |
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2 | From the Pledge of Allegiance by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931): “I pledge Allegiance to my Flag, [to] the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” in Youth’s Companion, 8 September 1892.”) |
3 | Cf. Leviticus 25:10. |
4 | From Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech, as part of his Annual Message to Congress (State of the Union Address) on 6 January 1941. |
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“Prayer of the Guest Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives: Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff on 9 August 2022” is shared through the Open Siddur Project with a Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication 1.0 Universal license.
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