In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, ambulances and first responders lined up waiting at NYU Medical Center. This is a prayer for first responders as they head into a moment of crisis or destruction. It asks for the physical and emotional safety of these brave professionals and volunteers in the face of the dangers ahead. This new version includes an addition in [brackets] for use by families of first responders, as well as slight modifications in the rhythm.
For First Responders (Revised)
Crisis and chaos,
Confusion and loss,
A scene of sweeping destruction,
The first responders arrive
Among the breathless and dazed,
The incapacitated, the dead,
The weary, the lost, the injured,
The frenzied, driven wild with fear and grief,
And survivors forcing themselves
Beyond their limits
To fight devastation.
Holy One,
[Watch over my father/mother/husband/wife/partner/spouse/son/daughter/brother/sister
As he/she serves our community/country
With dignity and honor.]
Bless our nation’s first responders with endurance
To be of maximum service in this moment of immeasurable need.
Bless their limbs with strength,
Their eyes with courage,
Their hands with gentleness,
So that they become a source of hope and love.
Give them the tools they need in the days and hours ahead.
Protect them from physical harm,
Shield them from emotional pain,
And guard them from taking this trauma into themselves.
G-d of justice and mercy,
May the deeds of the first responders
Find favor in Heaven
And bring healing on earth.
© 2012 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.
Postscript: See also “Yizkor for First Responders” and “Memorial Prayer for 9/11 First Responders.” This prayer is a generalized version of a previous piece called “For First Responders to the Earthquake in Haiti.” Written at the request of the Columbia County Fire Department Auxiliary, Lake City, Fla., for use in their fundraiser cookbook. It was first posted on April 17, 2012.
For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. Connect with To Bend Light on Facebook and on Twitter.
Photo Source: NYU Photo/Twitter via London Evening Standard
Tags: death of a hero, earthquake, faith, firemen, first responder, healing, hope, hurricane, paramedic, police and first responder prayer, prayer for firemen, prayer for first reponders, prayer for Magen David Adom, prayer for paramedics, prayer for police, prayer for Red Cross, prayer for Salvation Army, renewal, terror, tornado, tsunami, volunteer first responder prayer