Prayer connects us to God and to each other. Come to synagogue services and feel the power of community to encourage and support us all. Include a prayer for the well-being of the captives and of all the citizens and soldiers of Israel. Here is one such prayer, by Rabbi Simcha Roth:
May the One who blessed our fathers, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, and our mothers, Sarah Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, have compassion and mercy on the captives, Gilad Shavit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev. May the One who removes prisoners to prosperity redeem them from the hands of their captors and take them from servitude to freedom, from darkness to light. May God heal them completely, both body and soul, and strengthen their spirits. May it be God's will that speedily the words of the verse shall come to pass "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." So may it be your will, and let us say, Amen.
May the One who blessed our fathers, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, and our mothers, Sarah Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah send complete healing to all the soldiers and citizens who were injured in the attacks of the brazen, arrogant enemy from Lebanon, and send comfort to those who mourn. May our God and shield of salvation strengthen the hearts of all the inhabitants who are on the frontlines, and teach them to stand strong against the terror attacks from the air. Please, God, guide the hands of our soldiers into battle, so that they return the war to its gates, and return peace and tranquility to the land of Israel. May it be Your will that the words of Micah your prophet are speedily fulfilled in our day: "And he shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide concerning far away strong nations; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid; for the Lord of hosts has spoken it." And it says 'therefore do not fear, O my servant Jacob, says the Lord; nor be dismayed, O Israel; for, behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.'" So may it be your will, and let us say, Amen.
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