Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer

by Tyler Staton

During the Jewish Passover, the Israelites traditionally sang a gratitude song called dayenu. Dayenu means “it would have been enough.”40 I once heard a pastor offer this translation: “Thank you, God, for overdoing it.” Dayenu prayers sound like, “God, lunch today would’ve been enough, but you provided me with the resources to choose the type of food I wanted to eat and options to pick from.” “God, lunch of my choice would’ve been enough, but you created a world of flavor and spice and culture to make food more than fuel—to offer it as artistic and delicious.” “God, a delicious lunch of my choice would’ve been enough, but you gave me a coworker to share a conversation with over that food.” “Thank you, God, for overdoing it.”