As we approach Shabbat, we enter a period of reflection, preparing to welcome this special moment of transition, from the quotidian and mundane haste of the week into the respite for contemplation - about life, family, friends and the world that surrounds us. As the sun begins to set, and as we slip into a more introspective mode, there is time and space to truly reflect upon prayers to God.

A Prayer of Introspection and Contemplation

Oh, Almighty Creator of the Universe, with Your infinite wisdom and loving-kindness, grant me the strength to endure the vicissitudes of our mortal existence.

Give me the necessary fortitude, steadfastness, patience and serenity to properly handle the unexpected changes that occur in our daily lives.

Please guide me, providing me with a greater insight, so that I may be able to make the right decisions as needed in order to help me shield, protect, preserve and heal my loved ones who depend on my care and concern; enable me to absorb and digest, assimilate all that I need to learn so that I may become a better-informed person and to be able to make the right decisions as we must sometimes navigate through uncertain and turbulent waters.

If I falter, please allow me to make the necessary adjustments and corrections, so that I may get back on track.

If I lose my capacity to maintain an even keel when troubled waters threaten to overwhelm me, guide me, and show me how to overcome my shortcomings, and to become a more caring, compassionate and understanding person. In spite of all the difficulties that may assail me, as I seek my way toward calmer waters, please endow me with the wisdom to make the right decisions when this becomes necessary and lead me to a safer harbor.

I know that You are the majestic Ruler of our cosmic world, All-knowing, All-seeing, and with endless and undeniable control of what goes on with all of us humans every second, every minute, every hour of our daily lives.

Please be generous in Your endless mercy and compassion. We are Your children and You are our Maker - we are Your people and our destinies are in Your hands.

Give me the serenity and understanding so that I may aspire to become a better, caring individual, and so that I may participate in the fashioning, repair and maintenance of a better world for all of us.

Chazak, Chazak, Venitchazeik - May we go on from strength to strength in the pursuit of Tikkun Olam - the repairing of our world.

And let us say, Amen!
 

Shabbat shalom!