Adonai,

This is a prayer of words, and the words bind the prayer.

Adonai,

That I might speak true to all the man that I am, with the words I do not know, the words which, spoken, mean more than the symbols upon the paper – the words which, unknown, are not words but music, thoughts, emotions, like water rolling forth, a deluge of understanding, a cataract of compassion – is my wish.

Adonai,

This is a prayer for a blessing.

Adonai,

Fall down upon me, your servant, and teach me the tongues of my forebears, who wrote of you with such fear. Fall down upon me, your son, the son of your sons. Fall down upon me like a wall, fall down upon me like a cataract.

Adonai,

This is a prayer.

Adonai,

In your name, the unknowable name, grant me the passion to move, grant me the will to endure, grant me the speech to speak the words I do not know to touch the hearts I do not see.

Adonai,

In your name, the compassionate, the merciful, I know I ask too much.

Adonai,

Have you crafted me this way so that I might learn humility? And if so, have I failed you in my prayers for sovereign speech?

Adonai,

If it is your will that I pray to you and receive no answer, if it is right in your sight that I shall pray bound in only those words as I know, grant me the wisdom to speak as I ought, grant me the humility to see myself as I am.

Adonai,

This is a prayer for forgiveness.

Ken yehi ratzon