After another day of horror, this one in New York City. Here is my “Liturgy after Terror Attacks.” May we never need prayers such as these again.
For Manhattan, New York
Author of life,
Source and Creator,
Grant a perfect rest under Your tabernacle of peace
To the victims of the massacre in Manhattan,
Whose lives were cut off by violence,
In a rampage of aggression beyond understanding,
Targeted by vehemence and hate.
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,
Send healing to those wounded in this assault,
Those struck by the hand of brutality.
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.
G-d of love and shelter,
Remember the families and friends
Of all the dead and the wounded
In New York, the U.S. and throughout the world.
Remember them with comfort and consolation.
Grant them Your protection,
Your wholeness and healing.
Heavenly Guide,
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.
© 2017 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.
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: BBC News