Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff
U.S. Navy, Retired
Washington, DC
Date of Prayer: 08/23/2024
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty God, August recalls war: guns of August, World War I; atomic bombs of August, World War II; and on this day, 1996, Bin Laden declares war.
Terror, war, still rage. We pray for casualties to cease, hostages set free in a world itself held hostage to hatred, fear, and grief.
But August recalls progress, too. Two anniversaries next week: 19th Amendment, women's right to vote; human rights becoming legal rights, enshrining liberty in law. And stirring words of Dr. King touched our Nation's soul: ‘‘I have a dream''––that we will be free at last.
75 days until our Nation votes, embracing sometimes hard–won rights, keeping faith with prayers and dreams of better times: That justice rolls like mighty waters, righteousness, a never–ending stream; when freedom rings from every mountainside, and war will be no more.
Then, with new meaning, spirit, united we will proclaim: ‘‘My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.''
And may we say, amen.
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