Prayers for these tough times

In light of the horrific shooting in Highland Park, IL, on July 4, 2022, here are Jewish sources that invoke our tradition to help us during this tough time.

Compiled in Chicago by the staff at JUF Education and the Jewish Early Childhood Collaborative.

1. A prayer for the weary, from the morning prayer service

2. Mi Sheberach prayer

One of the central Jewish prayers for those who are ill or recovering from illness or accidents is the Mi Sheberach. The name is taken from its first two Hebrew words. With a holistic view of humankind, it prays for physical cure as well as spiritual healing, asking for blessing, compassion, restoration, and strength, within the community of others facing illness as well as all Jews, all human beings. (My Jewish Learning)

Hear Jewish musician Debbie Friedman's (z"l) interpretative song below.

3. A prayer for surviving a life-threatening event

Benching gomel means saying the blessing (called Gomel) after someone survives a life-threatening situation; often recited pro forma after surviving childbirth or trans-oceanic travel. (Jewish English Lexicon)

The prayer:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַגּוֹמֵל לְחַיָּבִים טוֹבוֹת שֶׁגְּמָלַנִי כָּל טוֹב

Blessed are You, Lord our God, ruler of the world, who rewards the undeserving with goodness, and who has rewarded me with goodness.

The congregation responds:

מִי שֶׁגְמַלְךָ כֹּל טוֹב הוּא יִגְמַלְךָ כֹּל טוֹב סֶלָה

May God who rewarded you with all goodness reward you with all goodness forever.

See the 45-second video clip below for more information.

4. Prayers for Healing

Be with me, God. I feel so lost. I can't seem to escape the dark cloud
that is hanging over me today. Help me, God. Give me strength
to combat despair and fear. Show me how to put my pain
into perspective. Teach me to have faith in the new day
that is coming. Thank you, God, for today's blessings,
for tomorrow's hope, and for Your abiding love.
Amen.

Teach me always to believe in my power to return to life, to hope, and to You, God,
no matter what pains I have endured, no matter how far I have strayed from You.
Give me the strength to resurrect my weary spirit.
Revive me, God, so I can embrace life once more
in joy, in passion, in peace.
Amen.

When I feel tainted, God, remind me that I am holy.
When I feel weak, teach me that I am strong.
When I am shattered, assure me that I can heal.
When I am weary, renew my spirit.
When I am lost, show me that you are near.
Amen.

May God heal you, body and soul.
May your pain cease,
May your strength increase,
May your fears be released,
May blessings, love and joy surround you.
Amen.

-Rabbi Naomi Levy
Talking to God: Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, Struggle and Celebration

5. Psalm 121