Writing this prayer was a struggle. Why do children face physical or mental illness, pain, abuse, injustice? Can a sad, confused or angry parent’s feelings find voice in prayer? As a result, this prayer includes several personal choices identified in [brackets]. Gender selections are noted with a slash. There are two places to name the child and one to name the medical condition, shown with blank lines. This prayer will appears in my book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

For a Critically Ill Child
G-d who made all things,
Source of blessing and healing,
Well of mystery and love,
I [understand that] [don’t understand why]
Children face the same perils as adults.
I [accept that] [don’t accept that]
This is my son’s/daughter’s journey.
I [surrender] [refuse to surrender]
My desires to Your will.
[Still, I pray.]

You who healed Miriam in the desert,
Bring Your healing power to [my son/daughter]
_______________ (child’s name in Hebrew or your native tongue)
So that she/he may know life and health,
Joy and love.

Bless all who face ______________ (name of disease or condition afflicting child)
With wholeness and peace.
Provide wisdom and insight to scientists and researchers
So that treatments and cures can be found for this
And all afflictions suffered by children,
Speedily in our days.

Grant our family and her/his caregivers fortitude and compassion.
[Grant me/us the skills and resources to help my/our other children as they struggle through this family trauma.]
[Give me the gentleness, awareness and presence of mind to care for my husband/wife/partner as we struggle together.]
And give me/us the strength to ask others to care for me/us in my/our pain and distress.

G-d of our people,
Ancient Source of majesty,
Bring healing to all in need,
Grant relief to all who suffer
And look with favor on [my son/daughter][name of child ________________]
In this hour of uncertainty.
Bless her/him with strength,
Remove her/his pain,
Relieve her/his distress,
And cure her/his body, mind and spirit.

Blessed are You, G-d of mystery,
May health and healing come speedily to those in need.

© 2010 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: Other healing prayers include: “For a Critically Ill Mother,” “For Surgery,” “Upon Recovery from Surgery” and “For Healing the Spirit.”

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