A Prayer for Our Soldiers and Residents of Towns under Threat

A Prayer for Our Soldiers and Residents of Towns under Threat

I just received the following prayer for our soldiers and the residents of towns under threat:

May He who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bless the residents of the State of Israel who live under the daily threat of missiles of death and destruction. May the Holy One strengthen their spirit and give them resolve to withstand this crisis until it passes. May it be the will of the Most High to grant wisdom and insight to those leaders of the State charged with conducting the people’s war, so that their actions are infused with courage, wisdom and intelligence which achieve a just goal. Lord of Hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, protect the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces in the air, on the sea and land, those in battle, those on the home front, and all the rescue and security forces. Save them from every trouble and evil design, and cause the works of their hands to be for blessing and for success. May they go out in peace and return victorious and whole to their homes and loved ones. O Heavenly One, bring peace to the Holy Land and eternal joy to its inhabitants, for Jacob again shall have calm and quiet with none to trouble him. And may the verse be applied to us: “But every man shall sit under his grapevine or fig tree with no one to disturb him. For it was the Lord of Hosts who spoke.” May this be Your will, and let us say: Amen.

(Composed and translated by Rabbi Simcha Roth and Rabbi Michael Graetz)