Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Theodore Lewis, Touro Synagogue, Newport, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Date of Prayer: 18 February 1963
Sponsor: n/a
Date of Prayer: 18 February 1963
Sponsor: n/a
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We beseech Thee, O God,
to give of Thy blessings to the Members of this distinguished assembly, the U.S. Senate. They have need of Thy divine guidance and inspiration as they deliberate on complex matters that affect not only every citizen of this land, but also the whole human race. |
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Imbue them, O God,
with wisdom of heart and mind, that they may arrive at just, equitable, and lasting solutions to the perplexing problems that confront them. |
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Keep them alert and vigilant,
that they may vigorously resist any encroachment on the liberties that we now enjoy. |
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Grant them inflexibility of courage
and fortitude of spirit, that they be not deflected from the noble ideals to which they have dedicated themselves. |
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May their actions ever be a reflection
of the immortal words that George Washington addressed to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, R.I. “To bigotry, no sanction; to persecution, no assistance,”[1] From George Washington’s “Letter to the Jews of Newport,” August 17th, 1790. for it is only when prejudice and bias give way to harmony and brotherhood can there be hope for peace, stability, and survival for mankind. |
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May it be Thy will, O God,
that the concept of the brotherhood of man, as expressed in such vital terms in these United States of America, shall extend beyond these shores, so that there will be ushered in an era of amity and fellowship between all races, an era in which nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.[2] Isaiah 2:4. Amen. |
This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered in the second month of the first session of the 88th US Congress. The source images of the prayer were copied by Howard Mortman and shared via his @CongressRabbi Twitter account. All credit to Howard Mortman for his research in digging up this prayer. Unfortunately, neither the source images nor his tweets provide an exact citation reference to the volume, issue, and page number of the Congressional Record in which the prayer was published. If you know, leave a comment, or contact us.
Source(s)
Prayer of the Guest Chaplain (Theodore Lewis 18 February 1963)
Notes
| 1 | From George Washington’s “Letter to the Jews of Newport,” August 17th, 1790. |
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| 2 | Isaiah 2:4. |
