Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel of America’s Vice President for Government Affairs and Washington Director and Counsel, was honored to participate yesterday, May 2, 2019, in a National Day of Prayer hosted at the White House by President Trump. The evening before, Rabbi Cohen sat at President and Mrs. Trump’s table at a White House dinner held in honor of the National Day of Prayer.

Rabbi Cohen appears in the video above.

The text of Rabbi Cohen’s prayer:

Almighty G-d:

Your servant, King David, wrote, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

You, Dear G-d, in the light of your countenance, bless each person, each new day, with untold possibilities, with hope and opportunity. And today, at the White House with the President, we especially rejoice as we celebrate our national heritage of belief in You, the Creator, and in the reality that G-d hears our prayers and that it is in You in whom we trust.

This day falls out during the week that the President has proclaimed the days of National Holocaust Remembrance. And it is fitting. For to eradicate unspeakable horror, humanity must indeed act to do its part, but we must also turn to You, Merciful G-d, and pray for the blessings of peace, love and brotherhood among our fellow men and women, who are all created in Your image. We need You desperately to heal us and to help us overcome our divisions and instill within ourselves Your will to “Love They Neighbor.”

As we are devastated by, and continue to reel from, the wanton murder and mayhem at Chabad of Poway, and as we are also inspired by the profound faith, heroism and open miracles that occurred there, we plead with You, dear G-d, to remove the hatred from the hearts of those who would commit such heinous acts in synagogues in Poway and Pittsburgh, in mosques in New Zealand, and in churches in Sri Lanka. We will trust in You, and we shall outlive them.

This week, when we remember incomprehensible cruelty and the evil of genocide, we find joy in the fact that we live in a nation that is a beacon of freedom and benevolence. A nation that extends its hand to the vulnerable and disadvantaged, and puts within the reach of its citizens the promise of prosperity and the pursuit of happiness. A nation that seeks peace and security for its people, and the end of terror and violence against innocents. A nation that is rooted in the guiding principles of equal justice under law, including protecting religious liberty and combatting anti-Semitism, at home and abroad.

This week, when we remember goose stepping jackboots that instilled fear and terror in good and innocent people, we find joy in the fact that we have a military, law enforcement and other first responders who inspire pride, confidence and comfort. We plead with You, merciful G-d, who never slumbers nor sleeps, to provide them and their families Your constant protection as they risk their lives, and to console those whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Almighty G-d, we thank You for this “Nation of Loving Kindness.” And for the great privilege and joy of living here. May You continue to protect it, and to shower Your blessings upon it. And may we merit Your love, now and always.

Amen.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)