Spiritual Care for All

Jewish

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The LORD is my shepherd; I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me to water in places of repose; He renews my life; He guides me in right paths as befits His name. Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness, I fear no harm, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my drink is abundant. Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for many long years. (Ps 23)

 

I turn my eyes to the mountains; from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD, maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot give way; your guardian will not slumber; See, the guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps! The LORD is your guardian, the LORD is your protection at your right hand. By day the sun will not strike you, nor the moon by night. The LORD will guard you from all harm; He will guard your life. The LORD will guard your going and coming now and forever. (Ps 121)

 

If a patient is not nearing death, the Mi Shebeirach prayer is traditionally said for the complete recovery of body and spirit:

May the one who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, bless and heal those who are ill [names]. May the Blessed Holy One be filled with compassion for their health to be restored and their strength to be revived. May God swiftly send them a complete renewal of body and spirit, and let us say, Amen.

 

Recitation of Vidui on behalf of one who is unable to speak, nearing death:

(Opening meditation to be said quietly by one who recites the Vidui)

Here I am, trembling in the presence of the Infinite. I stand here with humility and awe at the bedside of ____________, who is unable to speak. May I be worthy of the task before me; let no stumbling block interfere with my prayer.

Vidui: Our God and God of the generations of our people, I acknowledge that all life and death is in your hands. In Your hand are the souls of all who live and die, the spirit of every being.                           

God of Compassion, please hear my prayer on behalf of ______________. Please forgive errors, intentional and unintentional, through omission and commission, for which h/s has not previously sought forgiveness, whether in h/h heart or spoken aloud. Let all be heard and forgiven.                        

God of Healing, please bring peace to _____________:gather h/h to our people and let h/h be remembered for the good.

Our God, Eternal help of our ancestors, bring comfort to _____________’s loved ones and renew their spirits each day. May they be blessed in the shelter of Your peace, comforted among all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Hear O Israel: the Lord our God, is one Lord. (Shma Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Ehad.)

 

Closing prayer to be said quietly by one who recited the Vidui

Righteous God, please do not let anyone bear guilt for my errors. I beg forgiveness of___________for any shortcoming that could cause suffering. (May 25, 2005, rev. 2009 Alison Jordan ©2009)