It Would Have Been Enough

We used this prayer, inspired by the Jewish Passover song “Dayenu”, as the closing to our session “Spiritual Practice Makes Spiritual Perfect?” in the recent Spiritual Practice learning circle. Dayenu means “It would have been enough”.

If you had only made the stars and planets, 
but no life,
it would have been enough.

If you had only created life,
but no humans,
it would have been enough.

If you had only created humanity,
but not freed us from slavery,
it would have been enough.

If you had only broken our chains,
but not given us manna in the desert,
it would have been enough.

If you had only given us manna,
but not a land to share,
it would have been enough.

If you had only split the Red Sea for us,
but not sent your word,
it would have been enough.

If you had only sent your word,
but not walked among us,
it would have been enough.

If you had only walked as one of us,
but not performed healing miracles,
it would have been enough.

If you had only healed with wonders,
but not shared our suffering,
it would have been enough.

If you had only shared our death,
but not risen again,
it would have been enough.

If you had only brought us out of hiding,
but not sent your Spirit upon us,
it would have been enough.

If you had only inspired us with tongues of flame,
but not let us hear each other’s languages,
it would have been enough.

If you had only given us the gift of understanding,
but not sent us into the world,
it would have been enough.

If you had only sent us out,
but not pulled us back together,
it would have been enough.

If you had only gathered us into an open circle,
but not joined us as the centre,
it would have been enough.

All along the way,
you gave us all and more.
Words cannot express,
acts are insufficient,
but our hearts beat thanks,
and we are
enough.