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Archive for the ‘Better World’ Category

For the People of Kansas City

Posted on: April 14th, 2014 by Alden

A prayer for the people of Kansas City and the Jewish community after yesterday’s deadly violence targeting the Overland Park JCC and Village Shalom assisted living home. Here are links to two prayers for individual victims: “At the Hand of Anti-Semitism: A Yizkor Prayer” and “At the Hand of Violence.”

For the People of Kansas City
Author of life,
Man has turned violent,
Cutting down young and old
In Kansas City,
Grandparents and grandchildren,
Our brothers and sisters,
Crushing lives,
Upending dreams,
Attacking love with hatred.

Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest under your tabernacle of peace
To the victims of murder in Kansas City
Whose lives were cut off by violence,
An act of witless aggression
And calculated anti-Semitism.
Remember the survivors of this horror,
And the victims of any violence, suffering or despair.
Grant them shelter and solace,
Comfort and consolation,
Blessing and renewal.
Grant them endurance to survive,
Strength to rebuild,
Faith to mourn,
Courage to heal,
And devotion to each other.

Heavenly Guide,
Hand of love and shelter,
Put an end to anger and hatred,
Bigotry and fear,
And lead us to a time when no one
Suffers at the hand of another.
For the sake of the Jewish people,
For the sake of all people,
And for the sake of Your Holy Name,
Let the community of all faiths rally
In Your Holy Name.
Grant the people of Kansas City Your protection,
Your wholeness and healing,
And Your peace.

Postscript: Ask others to pray for the people of Kansas City by posting a link to this prayer on Facebook, Twitter or your blog. “At the Hand of Anti-Semitism: A Yizkor Prayer” and “At the Hand of Violence” appear in my new book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing. This prayer is adapted from one I wrote “For the Jews of France” after the 2012 attack in Toulouse, which has been translated into French. That, in turn, was an adaptation of prayers I wrote in response to violence in Norway and attacks in Mumbai, which were based on two of my other prayers, “At the Hand of Violence” and “In Devastation.” Find related prayers in my “Liturgy for 9-11.”

For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter. If you like this prayer, please post a link to Facebook, your blog or mention it in a tweet.

Photo Source: KSHB41 Action News

For the People of Chile

Posted on: April 2nd, 2014 by Alden

This is a prayer for the people of Chile as the effects of the 8.8 earthquake and tsunami there Saturday night continues to unfold. It’s an adaption of two prayers that I originally wrote in 2010 for the people of Haiti and have subsequently revised for other places hit by major storms and disasters, including Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines. Just last week I adapted this prayer after the massive mudslide in Snohomish County, Washington.

In Devastation (Prayer for the People of Chile)
G-d beyond my understanding,
The earth has turned violent,
Sweeping our brothers and sisters off their feet,
Crushing homes and lives,
Upending dreams,
Toppling the foundations of hope and sustenance.
A shallow breath beneath the rubble
And wailing in the streets.
The injured, the dead, the starving.
The new widow,
The new orphan,
The newly bereft turn to You
Divine Source of abundance and grace.

G-d of justice and mercy,
We pray for the people of Chile,
And the victims of any disaster,
Any violence, suffering or despair.
Grant them shelter and solace,
Comfort and consolation,
Blessing and renewal.
May a world of justice, righteousness and mercy
Come swiftly to their aid.
Grant them endurance to survive,
Strength to rebuild,
Faith to mourn,
Courage to heal,
And devotion to each other.

Heavenly Guide,
Hand of love and shelter,
Grant the people of Chile Your protection,
Your radiance,
And Your peace.

Postscript: Here’s a general prayer “For First Responders,” as well as prayer for those who have died in service to others as first responders, called “Yizkor for First Responders,” which appears in my new book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

Photo Source: Map from Stuff.co.nz

For the People of Snohomish County

Posted on: March 25th, 2014 by Alden

This is a prayer in response to the massive mudslide in Snohomish County, Washington. It’s an adaption of two prayers that I originally wrote for the people of Haiti and have subsequently revised for other places hit by major storms and disasters, including Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines.

In Devastation (Prayer for the People of Snohomish County)
G-d beyond my understanding,
The earth has turned violent,
Sweeping our brothers and sisters off their feet,
Crushing and drowning homes and lives
In a torrent of mud,
Toppling the foundations of hope and sustenance.

G-d of justice and mercy,
We pray for the people of Snohomish County,
Those who have been swept into chaos despair by the shifting earth.
Bless the first responders with endurance
To be of maximum service in this moment of immeasurable need.
Let anyone still alive be found speedily
And returned to their families
With a full measure of health.

Divine Source of abundance and grace,
The new widow,
The new orphan,
The newly bereaved and bereft turn to You.
Grant them endurance, strength and courage.
We also pray for the victims of any disaster,
Any violence, suffering or despair.
Grant all in need comfort and consolation,
Blessing and renewal.

Heavenly Guide,
Hand of love and shelter,
Bless the people of Snohomish County
With Your protection,
Your shelter,
And Your peace.

Photo Source: King County Sheriff’s Office/ kirotv.com

For Missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370

Posted on: March 17th, 2014 by Alden

It has been a week. Can we still hope to find the people from missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370? This is an adaptation of a prayer to be said for a specific missing person.

For Missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370
G-d of the frightened,
G-d of the missing and the lost,
Return the passengers of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370
To the cradle of their family’s arms,
And the refuge of their homes,
Speedily, in life and in health.
Watch over them. Protect them.
Shelter them from harm.
Deliver them from evil acts and evil intent.
Bless the professionals dedicated to the search.
Grant them skill, insight, fortitude and luck.

G-d of Old,
We understand the desperation of the families.
We understand that these hours and days
Of dismay and dread are almost too much to bear.
Grant the families endurance, hope and faith
That they will soon know what happened to their loved ones.
May they be reunited in the fullness of joy.
Still, we fear the worst.
If, G-d forbid, complete tragedy befell these people,
Let it have been swift and merciful,
Without suffering.

Holy One,
Protector and Redeemer,
Hear our prayer for the people of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370.
Hear this prayer for safety and peace.

Postscript: Here’s a link to “For the Missing (Specific Person in My Family)” and one to “For the Missing (Specific Person, Non-Relative).”

If you use this prayer, please click “like” on this page and subscribe. Please take a moment to post a link to your Facebook page, your blog or mention it in a tweet. Thanks. For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!”

Photo Source: AP/Channel 2 via Jerusalem Online

For the Missing, Caleb Jacoby

Posted on: January 9th, 2014 by Alden

This is a prayer for a missing person, posted here for Caleb Jacoby. This prayer is to be said on behalf of someone whose name is known but is out of one’s personal circle, such as when a missing person is named in the news. Here’s a link to the generic version, without Caleb’s name filled in. I previously posted a prayer to be said for a specific missing person in one’s family or circle of friends. Optional word selections are identified with a slash (“/”). In coming weeks I’ll post one more version: a general prayer for all missing persons.

UPDATE, Jan. 10: Caleb has been found, safe and sound.

For the Missing
G-d of the frightened,
G-d of the missing and the lost,
Return Caleb Jacoby
To the cradle of his family’s arms
And the refuge of their home
Speedily, in life and in health.
Watch over him. Protect him.
Shelter him from harm.
Deliver him from evil acts and evil intent.
Bless the professionals and volunteers dedicated to his return.
Grant them skill, insight, fortitude and luck.

G-d of Old,
These hours/days
Of dismay and dread are almost too much to bear.
Grant his family endurance, hope and faith
That they will soon be reunited with Caleb
In the fullness of joy.

Holy One,
Protector and Redeemer,
Hear this/my/our prayer.

Postscript: Here’s a link to “For the Missing (Specific Person in My Family).” Please consider purchasing my new book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

Photo Source: Tablet Magazine

In Memoriam: Sandy Hook

Posted on: December 12th, 2013 by Alden

The seventh anniversary of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., is today, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2017. Here are two prayers to mark the day. The first, “For the Children of Newtown,” is prayer I wrote in response to the attack. The second, “At the Hand of Violence,” is a memorial prayer for individual victims of violence. The second prayer includes space to name a specific person who died in the massacre. Here’s a link to a prayer “For Bereaved Children.” May the memories of the righteous be a blessing.

For the Children of Newtown
Author of life,
Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest under Your tabernacle of peace
To the victims of the massacre
In Newtown, Connecticut,
Children whose lives were cut off by violence,
All who fell at the hand of anger,
A rampage beyond understanding.
The future was severed.
Hopes, joys and dreams
Lost to brutality.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.
May they rest in peace.

G-d of mercy,
Remember, too, the survivors of this attack,
Parents,
Sisters and brothers,
Witnesses of shock, horror and dismay.
Ease their suffering and release their trauma.
Grant them endurance to survive,
Strength to rebuild,
Faith to mourn,
And courage to heal,
So that they recover lives of joy and wonder.

Remember the families and friends
Of the dead and the bereaved
With comfort and consolation.
Grant them Your protection,
Your wholeness and healing.
May they find hope and grace.

Heavenly Guide,
Source of love,
Guard the children of Newtown.
Grant them Your shelter and solace,
Blessing and renewal.
Put an end to anger, hatred and fear
And lead us to a time when
No one will suffer at the hand of another,
Speedily, in our day.

At the Hand of Violence: A Yizkor Prayer
Author of life Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest under your tabernacle of peace
To ______________________ (name in Hebrew or your native tongue),
My [father / mother / sister / brother / child / wife / dear one / friend]
Whose life was cut off by violence,
An act of witless aggression.
We remember his / her / their wisdom, talents and skills,
Joy, laughter and tears.
Let these memories continue to bless us
Even as we pray for him / her / them to find peace
In the world to come.
Put an end to anger, hatred and fear
And lead us to a time when no one will suffer at the hand of another.
May his / her soul be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.

Postscript: “For the Children of Newtown” prayer is an adaptation of “After a Deadly Rampage,” a general prayer to be used in response to mass killings. Please also see “For Bereaved Children,” a prayer for the brothers and sisters of the young victims.

If you use these prayers, please click take a moment to post links to your Facebook page, your blog or mention them in a tweet. Thanks. 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 Credit: The Candles Spot

For Nelson Mandela: Against Tyranny, Revised

Posted on: December 8th, 2013 by Alden

In memory of Nelson Mandela, z”l, this is a revision of my prayer “Against Tyranny.” I wrote the original version in the wake of the armed struggles against oppressive regimes that collectively became known as the Arab Spring. Hopefully, perhaps naively, I wrote a series of prayers that envisioned freedom prevailing quickly in those nations and the flowering of democratic governments throughout the Middle East. This revision anticipates non-violent struggle for freedom and justice, making it into a true tribute to Mr. Mandela. It also includes a new stanza honoring his memory. The memory of the righteous is a blessing.

For Nelson Mandela: Against Tyranny, Revised
G-d of the oppressed,
G-d of the dominated and exploited,
The voice of freedom echoes across the land,
A hunger for liberation
And an end to the reign of tyrants.
Our brothers,
Subjugated and abused,
Our sisters,
Smothered and forgotten,
Face the despot with dignity and honor,
Risking their personal safety
In the name of the future,
With the dream of emancipation.

Source of mercy,
Rock of generations,
You have led people to deliverance in every age.
Bless those who struggle against repression.
Grant them courage and fortitude,
Safety and strength.
May their purpose remain righteous
And their vision focused on peace.

Bring an end to the rule of dictators in every land.
Release the hand of cruelty and evil.
Thwart the hand of brutality.
Grant a swift end to tyranny wherever it’s found,
So that renewal can begin
And hope renewed.

G-d of heroes,
Ancient and new,
Grant a perfect rest among the souls of the righteous
To Nelson Mandela,
Whose path of non-violence
Inspired humanity and freed peoples.
May his dedication to justice and forgiveness
Serve as a shining lamp of love.
May the works of his hands
Bring us all merit in heaven
And let his memory bring the world
Devotion to love and liberty on earth.

Blessed are You, G-d of All,
Who summons us to free the captive,
Pursue justice
And build a world of peace.

Postscript: Other prayers for social justice include: “Against Human Trafficking” and “Against Poverty.” Here’s a link to a list of all of my prayers for social justice. The original version of this prayer first appeared here on February 24, 2011.

If you use this prayer, please click take a moment to post a link to your Facebook page, your blog or mention it in a tweet.

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: WikiMedia Commons

For the People of Philippines

Posted on: November 17th, 2013 by Alden

Here are two prayers in response to Typhoon Haiyan. They’re revised from prayers that I originally wrote for the people of Haiti and have subsequently revised for other places hit by major storms, including Japan and New Zealand. The first is a prayer for safety, relief and healing. The second is a prayer for the well-being of first responders, including the hopes for healing in the region. The first prayer offers the option to call the storm either Typhoon Haiyan or Typhoon Yolanda, as it is known in the Philippines.

In Devastation (Prayer for the People of Philippines)
G-d beyond my understanding,
The sea has turned violent,
Sweeping our brothers and sisters off their feet,
Crushing and drowning homes and lives,
Upending dreams,
Toppling the foundations of hope and sustenance.
A shallow breath beneath water and rubble
And wailing in the streets.
The injured, the dead, the starving.
The new widow,
The new orphan,
The newly bereft turn to You
Divine Source of abundance and grace.

G-d of justice and mercy,
We pray for the people of Philippines,
All who have been swept into chaos by Typhoon Haiyan/Typhoon Yolanda,
And the victims of any disaster,
Any violence, suffering or despair.
Grant them shelter and solace,
Comfort and consolation,
Blessing and renewal.
May a world of justice, righteousness and mercy
Come swiftly to their aid.
Grant them endurance to survive,
Strength to rebuild,
Faith to mourn,
Courage to heal,
And devotion to each other.

Heavenly Guide,
Hand of love and shelter,
Grant the people of Philippines Your protection,
Your radiance,
And Your peace.

Prayer For First Responders
Crisis and chaos,
Confusion and loss,
A scene of sweeping destruction,
The first responders arrive
Among the breathless and dazed,
The frenzied, driven wild with fear and grief,
The incapacitated, the dead,
The weary, the lost, the injured,
And survivors forcing themselves
Beyond their limits
To fight devastation.

G-d whose ways are secret,
Bless these 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,
We pray for the people of Philippines.
Let the world rally on their behalf.
May the deeds of the first responders
Find favor in Heaven
And bring healing on earth.

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: NASA via Wikipedia

For the Missing (Specific Person, Non-Relative)

Posted on: October 24th, 2013 by tobendlight

This is a prayer for a missing person. This prayer is to be said on behalf of someone whose name is known but is out of one’s personal circle, such as when a missing person is named in the news. Here’s a link to a prayer to be said for a specific missing person in one’s family or circle of friends. Gender selections are identified with a slash (“his/her”). In coming weeks I’ll post one more version: a general prayer for all missing persons.

Addendum, Aug. 26, 2014: Aaron Sofer disappeared during a hike in the Jerusalem Forest on Friday. Please pray for his safe return. This prayer was originally posted in 2013 on behalf of a missing 14-year old, mute, severely-autistic teen, Avonte Oquendo, who’s remains were found months later.

For the Missing (Specific Person, Non-Relative)
G-d of the frightened,
G-d of the missing and the lost,
Return ___________________________ [full name]
To the cradle of his/her family’s arms
And the refuge of their home
Speedily, in life and in health.
Watch over her/him. Protect her/him.
Shelter her/him from harm.
Deliver her/him from evil acts and evil intent.
Bless the professionals [and volunteers] dedicated to her/his return.
Grant them skill, insight, fortitude and luck.

G-d of Old,
These [hours/days/weeks/months/years]
Of dismay and dread are almost too much to bear.
Grant his/her family endurance, hope and faith
That they will soon be reunited with ___________ [first name]
In the fullness of joy.

Holy One,
Protector and Redeemer,
Hear this/my/our prayer.

Postscript: Here’s a link to “For the Missing (Specific Person in My Family).”

Photo Source: Times of Israel

After the Washington Navy Yard Shootings

Posted on: September 17th, 2013 by tobendlight

This is a prayer of mourning and consolation in memory of the victims of the Washington Navy Shipyard shootings and supporting their families. Unfortunately, there are now so many mass attacks that a general prayer seems necessary. So I wrote a prayer called “After a Deadly Rampage” with a blank line for the location of the attack, which I have filled in for this tragedy. May the memories of the righteous be a blessing.

After a Deadly Rampage/ Washington Navy Yard
Author of life
Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest under Your tabernacle of peace
To the victims of the massacre
At the Washington Navy Yard,
Whose lives were cut off by violence,
A rampage of witless aggression beyond understanding.
Their hopes were severed.
Their dreams were lost to brutality.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.
May they rest in peace.

G-d of justice and mercy,
Remember, too, the survivors of this attack,
Witnesses of shock, horror and dismay.
Ease their suffering and release their trauma
So that they recover lives of joy and wonder.
Grant them Your shelter and solace,
Blessing and renewal.
Grant them endurance to survive,
Strength to rebuild,
Faith to mourn,
And courage to heal.

Remember the families and friends
Of the dead and the wounded.
With comfort and consolation.
Grant them Your protection,
Your wholeness and healing.
May they find hope and renewal.

Heavenly Guide,
Source of love and shelter,
Put an end to anger, hatred and fear
And lead us to a time when
No one will suffer at the hand of another,
Speedily, in our day.

Postscript: “After a Deadly Rampage” is based on a prayer I wrote “For the People of Norway.” The focus of this prayer is on the dead, the injured and their families, making no reference to legal, political or social issues related to the Second Amendment/gun control debate in the U.S. This is a simple memorial prayer that we all can use at these times of horror. Please see “At the Hand of Violence” for prayer in memory of an individual killed by violence.

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: Google Maps

Archive for the ‘Better World’ Category

For the People of Kansas City

For the People of Chile

For the People of Snohomish County

For Missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370

For the Missing, Caleb Jacoby

In Memoriam: Sandy Hook

For the People of Philippines

For the Missing (Specific Person, Non-Relative)

After the Washington Navy Yard Shootings

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