November 2007

Lately I've been wrestling with the notion of petitionary prayer -- prayers in which we ask God for specific things, or for specific outcomes. Years ago I felt such prayers were a beracha l'vatalah -- a useless prayer. Things would turn out one way or another, and although our prayers might give us comfort, they would not affect the outcome.

More recently I became interested in studies indicating that praying for someone who is ill might actually make a difference in that person's recovery. Of course other studies refute that claim. I am not yet convinced petitionary prayers of this type really make a difference, but I remain open to the possibility. After all, as Hamlet said, "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

I'm a late bloomer in terms of popular culture, which is my lame excuse for only recently becoming aware of Leonard Cohen's music and poetry. I am touched by his spirituality and his contemporary use of Jewish themes in songs such as "Hallelujah" and "Who By Fire." I am especially moved by his song "If it be Your will." Even those of you who do not know this song can tell by the title that it is a petitionary prayer, so you might well ask why I find it so moving.

The answer is in the lyrics themselves. Here, for example, is one verse from the song:

If it be your will
If there is a choice
Let the rivers fill
Let the hills rejoice
Let your mercy spill
On all these burning hearts in hell
If it be your will
To make us well

This is indeed a petitionary prayer, but not in the manner of the song made famous by Janice Joplin: "O Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends." (This is my favorite example of the misuse of petitionary prayer!)

Leonard Cohen's song is a petition of a different sort. It reflects the yearning of the human heart for abundance, for joy, for forgiveness and peace. In fact, it reminds me of the last line of the Kaddish: "Oseh shalom bimromav…" "May the One who makes peace in the high heavens, make peace on us, on all Israel, and on all the world."

We are not praying for ourselves or for anyone in particular; we are praying for humanity and all the world. Perhaps we are petitioning ourselves? Rather than asking for divine intervention, we are asking for the strength and vision to bring the yearnings of our heart into reality through the work of our hands.

Ken y'he ratzon -- may this be God's will.

L'Shalom,
Rabbi Helen