Birthday Prayer, by Lilian Helen Montagu (1895)
Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=50612
open_content_license: Creative Commons Zero (CC 0) Universal license a Public Domain dedication Date: 2023-05-07
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Categories: Bnei (Bar/Bat) Mitsvah & Other Birthday Prayers
Tags: 19th century C.E., 57th century A.M., English vernacular prayer, Jewish Women's Prayers, teḥinot in English, West Central Girls' Club, תחינות teḥinot
Excerpt: "Birthday Prayer" was written by Lilian Helen Montagu and published in Prayers for Jewish Working Girls (1895), pp. 29-30. . . .
Content:
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Birthday Prayer.
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Almighty Father,—
I have this day finished another year of my life,
during which I have seen many signs
of Thy mercy and of Thy tender love.
Often in the past year
I have given way to temptation.
I have wavered in my trust in Thee.
In my boldness I have groped my way in the dark,
forgetting that Thy arm is stretched out
to help those who will be led by Thee.
I have neglected opportunities to improve myself.
These opportunities I know that I can never recall.
Many a time I have spoken
cross words to the children,
rude words to my parents;
I have been impatient with my companions,
and discontented with my life.
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O God in Heaven,
I humbly ask Thy forgiveness
for all this.
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In the year which is just beginning for me,
help me to try to advance
in truthfulness and godliness.
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Bring me nearer unto Thee,
O Thou who art my Redeemer,
teach me to try to lead a holy, beautiful life.
Let me never forget
the grand mission of Thy people Israel,
and make me try to be worthy
to be Thy messenger.
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Tighten the bonds of love and sympathy
between me and my parents,
sisters, brothers, and friends,
and unite us all in love
and in devotion to Thy service.
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So teach us to number our days
that we may get us a heart of wisdom. (Psalms 90:12)
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May Thy mercy be upon us, O Lord,
according as we hope in Thee.
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“Birthday Prayer” was written by Lilian Helen Montagu and published in Prayers for Jewish Working Girls (1895), pp. 29-30.
Source(s)
Contributor: Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
Co-authors:
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Name: Lilian Helen Montagu
Bio: The Hon. Lilian Helen "Lily" Montagu, CBE (22 December 1873 – 22 January 1963) was the first woman to play a major role in Progressive Judaism. Until the age of 15, she was educated at Doreck College, and privately educated thereafter. In 1893 she founded with Emily Marion Harris the West Central Jewish Girls Club (which subsequently merged into the Jewish Girls' Brigade). She was active in social improvement, particularly in respect to unemployment, sweat shops and bad housing. In 1901 and 1902, Montagu laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Jewish Religious Union in London. In February 1902 she arranged the first meeting of the Jewish Religious Union for the Advancement of Liberal Judaism at her sister Henrietta Franklin's house. The Union set up the first synagogue in Liberal Judaism in the UK and helped found the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Montagu was a founding member with her sister of the Jewish League for Woman Suffrage. She sat on the executive committee and led the meetings in prayer. Following the retirement of Leo Baeck, Montagu served for a brief stint (1955–1959) in her 80s as president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, before handing the reins over to Solomon Freehof.
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_Montagu
Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/lilian-helen-montagu
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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: birthday prayer (Lilian H. Montagu 1895) – cropped
Caption: birthday prayer (Lilian H. Montagu 1895) - cropped
