Prayers for Israeli-Palestinian peace and for refugees

Submitted by Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah

PRAYER FOR REFUGEES

Eternal God, our Creator and Liberator, as we celebrate Shabbat together and rejoice in our many blessings, we pause to remember Your children across the world whose lives are blighted by the curses of poverty and persecution. We think of the many millions across the globe, driven from their homes by tyranny, violence and destitution, risking their lives as they make their escape in the hope of finding refuge and security elsewhere.

Pause

Eternal Teacher of Your people Israel, as the children and grandchildren and descendants of refugees, aware of Your teachings of justice and our sacred obligations towards the stranger, we express our commitment before You now to open our hearts and our hands and our communities to welcome those in need of refuge, and to do what we can to contribute to the alleviation of their suffering.

And let us say: Amen.            

A PRAYER FOR PEACE BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS

As the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians continues decade after decade, to pray for peace seems a hopeless and naïve folly. And yet, today it is more urgent than ever that a resolution is achieved that acknowledges the needs of both peoples for peace and justice, sovereignty and security. And so, we pray:

El Malei Rachamim, God Full of Compassion, who heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds, we ask You to show all Your children the way of love and compassion, so that hatred ceases to scar their lives.

Ein Ha-Chayyim, Source of Life, we call upon You to send Your abundant blessings into every home, Israeli and Palestinian, so that new hope may overcome old fears.

Adonai Tzadik, Righteous One, who exhorts us to pursue Justice, we fervently pray that a spirit of righteousness may prevail, so that both peoples find the courage to reach a just settlement of their differences.

Oseh Shalom, Maker of Peace, who teaches us to be seekers of peace, we entreat You now to spread Your tabernacle of shalom–salaam over all the inhabitants of Your land, and to support the peacemakers among both peoples in their efforts to walk the path of reconciliation, so that a just peace may reign supreme at last – bimheirah b’yameinu, speedily in our own day. 

And let us say:  Amen.