153 - Talking With the King

"HaShem, my King, the King of the world. You are always the King, but now, specifically, approaching the holy day of Rosh Hashanah, where we are called on to make an extra effort to proclaim You as the King. Please HaShem, help me to be successful in my efforts to make You the King.

I know, HaShem, that You are not like human beings that You need honor. You don't need anything, You didn't even need to create the world. Whilst at the same time, the Mishna in Pirkei Avos teaches us that You created everything in the world for the sake of Your honor.

For someone who doesn't know, HaShem, this might appear like You might be like another human-like King, seeking and wanting everyone to honor them. Thank You, HaShem, for teaching me the truth from Your Torah sources, that in actual fact, You didn't need to create this world in the least. And the only reason You did was for my good, to eventually reward me and give me the greatest pleasure. And the only reason that You gave me the opportunity to have this excursion in this world is to earn my place in the next world. Because as we are taught, when I earn my place in the next world, it will be so much more pleasure than if You just gave it to me without having earned it. 

So what does it mean that everything in the world was created for Your honor? And why, HaShem, do I have a mitzvah now to make You the King? The answer, I believe, to be, HaShem, is because in actuality, when I am honoring You, I am doing myself a favor. Because You are the source of all goodness, and when I choose to connect with You, and to follow what You tell me, and to notice Your involvement in my life, then I believe that I am earning my place in the next world. And perhaps I might even experience some of that great light in this world by having a close relationship with You. 

HaShem, my dear Father, I just want to take this opportunity to thank You for everything that You've given me in my life. Because of my human limitations, most of the time I take things for granted. But if I stop and think for a moment of all the countless gifts that You have blessed me with, and I acknowledge and appreciate that they come exclusively and directly from You. King of all kings, thank You for the greatest gifts that You've granted me. Thank You, HaShem, for the privilege to be able to see, to be able to hear, to be able to breathe. Thank You, HaShem, for the incredible opportunity and privilege of being a Jew, and to know about the incredible mitzvah to crown You as the King on Rosh Hashanah. 

Thank You, HaShem, for granting me the privilege to be able to recite the incredibly holy prescribed prayers throughout the year, and also on these holy days. Thank You, HaShem, that I am able to read from the Machzor and tap into these most incredible holy words. HaShem, my Father, my King, You are the King, and I really want to do my part to crown You as the King. Every individual that You created has a different mission and purpose. Please, HaShem, can You guide me to fulfill my mission and purpose in life, of how I can spread Your light and fulfill my mission and purpose in the world in the most potent way. Please will You guide me to know what are the things that I should focus on to be able to glorify Your Name. 

Many of the things we know and are objectively applicable to all of us. We are taught that when we recite the words "yehei shemei rabba mevarach leolam uleolmei olmaya", these are some of the most powerful words affirming You as the King of the world. Sometimes, HaShem, I don't feel particularly inspired or focused in saying these words, but please help me now, coming to the new year, to make a new start, to not do things based on my experience, because sometimes I don't experience the inspiration of Your mitzvahs because of my human limitations. But rather, help me to fulfill all Your mitzvahs just based on my belief that You told me to do so, and if You said so, there is no question that this is the best thing to do. And in the same vein, please, HaShem, guide me in my personal life, the things that are subjective to me, of how I can fulfill my purpose and mission in the world, not for my sake, but rather to proclaim You, HaShem, as the true Melech."