Written for a friend in preparation for running her first marathon in NYC November 2, 2014.
Dear God,
As I stand here, at the foot of Mt. SinaiAccording to the Torah, God, in the presence of the Jewish people, gave Moses the Torah on Mount Sinai (Har Sinai).,
I am filled with Gratitude,
For You, who has given me life
For my Family, who sustains me with their love
For my Community, who supports me with their warm embrace
For the strength of my body, which I have cared for and prepared to greet this day
For the capacity of my mind, to allow me to reach beyond what I thought possible
For the courage of my soul, to conquer my fears and pursue my dreams
For the spirit You have placed in me that will allow me to prevail.
I humbly ask of You…
Remove all obstacles from before me
Help me to run swiftly and without impediment
Grant me the courage to persevere in moments of weakness
To see and do acts of loving kindness along the way
And that through this endeavor, I may glorify your Great Name.
As it says in Isaiah 40:31:
For those who hope in God will renew their strength.
They shall soar on wings like eagles; they shall run and not grow weary.
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵינוּ שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ אֶת גּוּפִי נַפְשִׁי וְרוּחִי בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם וְנֹאמַר אַמֵּן
Yihi ratzon milifanekha Adonay eloheynu v’elohey avoteynu v’emoteynu,
sh’t’khadash et gufi, nafshi v’rukhi b’khol yom vayom, v’nomar Amen.
