I just returned from a six week trip to the U.S., including teaching at many synagogues. Police officers were present at each ont to protect congregants. Here’s a revised version of my prayer “For Police.” This version adds lines of support for families and colleagues of fallen officers. The original prayer was a response to a sniper attack on police in Dallas during a Black Lives Matter protest. This version also omits a politically-charged paragraph that doesn’t fit in a general prayer for police. For more on the impetus behind the original version, see the original post.

For Police
G-d of the selfless,
G-d of the strong and the brave,
Watch over those who dedicate their lives
To serving and protecting others,
Men and women who have answered the call
Of honor, duty and service,
Who risk life and limb to maintain law and order,
Who risk life and limb among the first responders
To natural disasters and man-made terror.
Grant them protection in the pursuit of our safety,
Skill in the pursuit of our well-being
And wisdom in the pursuit of justice.

Bless the souls of those who’ve died in our service.
May their memories be sanctified with joy and love.
Bless their families with consolation and comfort,
And their colleagues with solace and support.
Grant Your healing to all who grieve.

Rock of Truth,
Watch over our communities with love.
Bring an end to crime and violence,
So that all may know
Your compassion and Your grace.

Rock of Ages,
Stronghold and Shelter,
Bless all who serve in the policing professions with Your care.
Bless them fortitude and strength,
Insight and judgment.
In their lives, bless them with joy and health,
Security and well-being.
Let their deeds resound with fairness and integrity,
The calling of their profession,
A source of blessings in our midst.

© 2019 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

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Postscript: See also “For Firefighters.” This prayer is based on two other prayers: “Memorial Prayer for 9/11 First Responders” and “For Nurses.” Here are prayers “Against Gun Violence” and for taking social justice “To the Streets.”

Please check out my ELItalk video, “Falling in Love with Prayer,” and This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day. For reprint permissions and usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” To receive my latest prayers via email, please subscribe (on the home page). You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo Source: Victim Services

This is a prayer for police officers, a response to Thursday’s sniper attack on police in Dallas during a Black Lives Matter protest. For nearly a year, a prayer “For Police” has been on my list to write. It’s an awkward moment for this prayer. Trust for police is at a low. The nation grieves. We debate two core issues: gun violence and systemic oppression of blacks and other minorities by some in law enforcement. This prayer is in memory of the slain officers and also to honor of a former member of the City of Evanston (Illinois) Police Department, whose heroism saved my daughters and wife Ami z”l from disaster.

For Police
G-d of the selfless,
G-d of the strong and the brave,
Watch over those who dedicate their lives
To serving and protecting others,
Men and women who have answered the call
Of honor, duty and service,
Who risk life and limb to maintain law and order,
Who risk life and limb among the first responders
To natural disasters and man-made terror.
Grant them protection in the pursuit of our safety.
Grant them skill in the pursuit of our well-being.
Grant them wisdom in the pursuit of justice.
Bless the souls of those who’ve died in our service.
May their memories be sanctified with joy and love.

Rock of Truth,
Watch over our communities with love.
Bring an end to crime and violence,
So that all may know
Your compassion and Your grace.

Rock of Ages,
Stronghold and Shelter,
Bless all who serve in the policing professions with Your care.
In their work, bless them fortitude and strength,
Insight and judgment.
In their lives, bless them with joy and health,
Security and well-being.
Let their deeds resound with fairness and integrity,
The calling of their profession,
A source of blessings in our midst.

Rock of Love,
Heal the wounds of our nation.
Heal the grief that tears us apart.
And let us all be blessed with peace.

© 2016 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript:  This prayer is based on two other prayers: “Memorial Prayer for 9/11 First Responders” and “For Nurses.” Here are prayers “Against Gun Violence” and for taking social justice “To the Streets.”

Please consider making a contribution to support this site and my writing. 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.

Photo Source: Victim Services