May it be your will
Dear G-d:
Once again, we find ourselves in Israel in the position to defend ourselves from terrorist rockets. Once again, we are in a situation where we are put in harm’s way. Last time, in Operation Amud Anan, my daughter was serving in the IDF, and it gave me a personal connection. This time she is not in, but a number of friends have sons, daughters, siblings and spouses in the field; in harm’s way near Gaza, and it makes it more personal.
May it be Your will that each and every Israeli soldier come home safely.
May it be Your will that just as You hug each soldier in Your protective arms, so too will they be in the loving arms of their families soon.
May it be Your will that every single piece of ordinance that Israel rains down on her enemies hits its target and paralyzes them.
May it be Your will that parents in Israel, and especially those near Gaza, will be able to feel a sense of calm and quiet–today and every day going forward.
May it be Your will that the enemy is vanquished and that they should feel the sense of dread of the true G-d and feel His mighty power and declare that He is One.
May it be Your will, I ask again, that ALL of our soldiers come home safely, uninjured and successful.
And, dear G-d, May it be Your will to see the words of the Navi come to fruition, when he says:
וְכִתְּתוּ חַרְבוֹתָם לְאִתִּים, וַחֲנִיתוֹתֵיהֶם לְמַזְמֵרוֹת–לֹא-יִשָּׂא גוֹי אֶל-גּוֹי חֶרֶב, וְלֹא-יִלְמְדוּ עוֹד מִלְחָמָה
(“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”)
Amen