Psalm 17:6-9

6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me, hear my words.

7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,

O savior of those who seek refuge

from their adversaries at your right hand.

8 Guard me as the apple of the eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings,

9 from the wicked who despoil me,

my deadly enemies who surround me.

“Prayer at the First Continental Congress,” 1774, Philadelphia, PA

“The Liberty Window,” Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA

“…What shall we say? Human nature is intolerant whenever it has power. Trust power then without a counterpoise to no church, to no sect, to no Party. Amen and Amen.”

John Adams, June 5, 1812.

As we bring our hearts in prayer looking forward to the joyful celebrations of the Fourth, to family and friends, fireworks and frankfurters on the grill, let them spend some few quiet moments in recall of the prayerful hearts of uncounted men and women through the years who have sought diligently the inclination of our Sovereign’s ear in times of adversity and darkness, in times when wickedness and enemies surround. Let them give thanks for these and recall gratefully as well, the struggles of their own where they have found safe refuge and kind easement when that which is worst among our natures seems too willingly to prevail. Let them rest gratefully in the only Power in which any human heart can fully rest; and trust fully in the only Heart of Power by which to guide the use of any human-earthly powers entrusted to their care. Amen.


Stay safe and be happy on the 4th….

Prayer is Listening

Psalm 17: 1-5

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;

listen to my cry.

Give ear to my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.


2 May my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.


3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing;
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

4 As for the deeds of men—
by the word of your lips
I have kept myself
from the ways of the violent.


5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.


· Listen to hear, really hear, what is being said.

· Listen to understand.

· Listen to learn.

· Listen without comment, even if you do not agree with what is being said. You don't have to agree. Just listen.

· Listen completely focused on the speaker. Don't try to come up with counter arguments or to frame your reply. Simply focus on what the speaker is saying.

· Listen with respect, no matter whether the speaker is on "your" side or "theirs," regardless of the speaker's status or position.

· Listen to find links between you and the speaker.

· Listen with empathy.

· Listen with your heart, always with your heart.
Jewish-Muslim Dialogue Group of Los Angeles, California


As we bring our hearts in prayer this week, may we come with confidence that God listens and truly understands their depths better even than we know them ourselves. In this, may they be opened for us to learn more about our own truths and the truth of God’s grace for our living. May we bring our longing hearts to the deep Silence; may we bring them, especially when they come reluctantly, for simply in the coming can they know the great mercy which is there.


May they pray in silence for the grace to attend most fully the One Heart which they seek, listening there for its Fullness and their own. May they find assurance that it is on their own “side,” and may they pray with all their strength for the blessed grace to be drawn closer in to the “side” of the Heart they seek in prayer. In these may each of us find the wholeness which we seek, the understanding for which we long and the Heart to continue along the path which offers pleas and cries and prayers for every heart which seeks wholeness and understanding and to be heard. Amen.