Prayers and Readings of Consolation
A reflection on tragedy: |
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After great pain, a formal feeling comes�
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs�
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?
The Feet, mechanical, go round�
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought�
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone�
This is the Hour of Lead�
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow�
First�Chill�then Stupor�then the letting go�
�Emily Dickinson
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| A reflection on continuing with living in the face of tragedy: |
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All the world is a very narrow bridge.
The most important part is not to be afraid.
�a song by Baruch Chait
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| Comfort from the scriptures: |
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Nachamu, Nachamu Ami, Yomar Adonai
Be comforted, be comforted, My people, says the Eternal One.
�Isaiah 40:1
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| Psalm 121 � a song of ascent: |
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I lift up my eyes to the hills.
What is the source my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Maker of the heavens and the earth.
God will not allow you to stumble,
Your Guardian will not slumber.
Indeed, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.
The Lord is your Guardian, your shelter at your side.
The sun will not smite you by day nor the moon by night.
The Lord will guard you against all evil;
God will guard you, body and soul.
The Lord will guard your going out
and your coming home, now and forever.
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| A prayer for guidance and safety for ourselves, our community, and our country: |
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May it be Your will, Eternal One, to lead us in peace and direct our steps in peace; to guide us in peace and to support us in peace. Deliver us from the hands of every enemy and lurking foe and from all kinds of calamities that may come to and afflict the world, and bestow blessing upon all our actions. Grant us grace, kindness and mercy and bestow bountiful kindness upon us. Hear our prayer, O One who supports and strengthens us. Blessed are You, Eternal One, who upholds the seekers of peace and justice.
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| Prayers for giving thanks for good and sweet things in life: |
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Upon smelling fragrant spices:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates various spices.
- Upon smelling the fragrance of trees or shrubs:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates fragrant trees.
- Upon smelling the fragrance of herbs or plants:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates fragrant plants.
- Upon smelling fragrant fruit:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who gives a pleasant fragrance to fruits.
- Upon smelling fragrant oils:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates fragrant oils.
- Upon seeing a rainbow:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who remembers the Covenant, is faithful to it, and keeps the Covenental promise.
- Upon seeing trees blossoming for the first time in the year:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has withheld nothing from God's world and who has created beautiful creatures and beautiful trees for mortals to enjoy.
- Upon seeing trees or creatures of striking beauty:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has such beauty in God's world.
- Upon hearing good news:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who is good and beneficent.
- Upon visiting a place where one experienced a miraculous rescue:
- Praised are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, who granted me a miracle in this place.
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See also Meditations for Healing.
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