Interdependence, a prayer by Dorothy Canfield Fisher (19 November 1944)
Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=46341
open_content_license: Creative Commons Zero (CC 0) Universal license a Public Domain dedication Date: 2022-08-25
Last Updated: 2025-01-20
Categories: 🇺🇸 Brotherhood Week
Tags: 20th century C.E., 58th century A.M., interdependence, Post–World War II economic expansion
Excerpt: "Interdependence" by Dorothy Canfield Fisher (1879-1958) was originally written for the 50th Anniversary of the World's Young Women's Christian Association, 19 November 1944. The prayer was included by Rabbi Morrison David Bial in his anthology, An Offering of Prayer (1962), p. 55. It's likely that Rabbi Bial first read the prayer in an anthology of prayer by Stephen Hole Fritchman, Prayers of the Free Spirit (1945), p. 38. . . .
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Almighty God, Eternal Spirit,
we for whom Thou art the only hope of life
acknowledge our need of Thee now.
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By the skill of head and hand,
man has shortened the distance
between the homes of his fellows,
till all on our globe are now neighbors.
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Help us, O God, Joyful Spirit of Universal Love,
to make this new closeness a blessing to us all.
Help us to believe in our heart’s core
that none of us can know joy,
safety,
content,
if others do not know hope.
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By the skill of head and hand,
man has brought forth
such wealth of material goods
as no other generation has known.
Help us to know
that none of us is safe
in the enjoyment of our man-made wealth
if all cannot have a share.
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Almighty God,
move us to put our whole trust in Thee
and Thy all-powerful spirit of love.
May we draw from Thee
that faith in the human spirit
which alone gives meaning to efforts
for the common good.
Inspire us with that universal faith
in the might of goodness,
which means wholeness and life
for all human souls.
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Amen.
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“Interdependence” by Dorothy Canfield Fisher (1879-1958) was originally written for the 50th Anniversary of the World’s Young Women’s Christian Association, 19 November 1944. The prayer was included by Rabbi Morrison David Bial in his anthology, An Offering of Prayer (1962), p. 55. It’s likely that Rabbi Bial first read the prayer in an anthology of prayer by Stephen Hole Fritchman, Prayers of the Free Spirit (1945), p. 38.
Source(s)
Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
Co-authors:
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Name: Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Bio: Dorothy Canfield Fisher (February 17, 1879 – November 9, 1958) was an educational reformer, social activist, and best-selling American author in the early 20th century. She strongly supported women's rights, racial equality, and lifelong education. Eleanor Roosevelt named her one of the ten most influential women in the United States. In addition to bringing the Montessori method of child-rearing to the US, she presided over the country's first adult education program and shaped literary tastes by serving as a member of the Book of the Month Club selection committee from 1925 to 1951.
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Canfield_Fisher
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/dorothy-canfield-fisher
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Name: Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
Bio: Aharon Varady (M.A.J.Ed./JTSA Davidson) is a volunteer transcriber for the Open Siddur Project. If you find any mistakes in his transcriptions, please let him know. Shgiyot mi yavin; Ministarot naqeni שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין; מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי "Who can know all one's flaws? From hidden errors, correct me" (Psalms 19:13). If you'd like to directly support his work, please consider donating via his Patreon account. (Varady also translates prayers and contributes his own original work besides serving as the primary shammes of the Open Siddur Project and its website, opensiddur.org.)
Website: https://aharon.varady.net
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/aharon-varady-transcription
Featured Image:
Title: World_Freedom_map_by_Ernest_Dudley_Chase_1950
Caption: World Freedom map by Ernest Dudley Chase 1950
