Traditional Judaism offers a confessional prayer, or vidui
, to be recited during a time of serious illness or near death. If the patient is unable to recite the prayer, others may do so on his or her behalf. This modern adaptation [of vidui] places less emphasis on atonement for sins, and more on the bonds connecting the patient to his or her loved ones. It can be recited by a friend, family member, or chaplain on behalf of a person who is very ill, especially when life and death are hanging in the balance.
–In memory of Dr. Paul Woolf z”l
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Our God and God of our ancestors, we acknowledge that all of life is in Your hands.
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We pray for healing for this beloved (woman/man).
May (she/he) be filled and embraced by a complete and healing love and forgiveness. May (she/he) always know how precious his life is to those who love (her/him). |
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Protect ___________’s beloved family: ___________________________.
Their souls are woven together for all time. |
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Grant hope and strength to _____________’s family and caregivers, guiding their hands and hearts and decisions with wisdom, loving care, and skill.
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כִּי מַלְאָכָיו יְצַוֶּה לָּךְ לִשְׁמָרְךָ בְּכָל דְּרָכֶיךָ׃ |
May angels be appointed for (her/him), to guard (her/him) in all (her/his) paths.[1] Psalms 91:11
Ki malakhav yetzaveh lakh, lishmorkha b’khol d’rakheh-kha. |
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In Your hand lies (her/his) spirit. In Your Great Name, You hold the life and memories of each soul on earth. You redeem us, Adonai, God of Truth.
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שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְיָ אֶחָד׃ |
Hear O Israel: [YHVH | Adonai] is our God, [YHVH | Adonai] is One.[2] Deuteronomy 6:4
Shma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad. |
Source

“Prayer in a Time of Serious Illness by Rabbi Gilah Langner” is shared by the contributors with a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International copyleft license.
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