A Blessing After Disaster

I had some thoughts with regard to what I wanted to blog about today, but, in light of the tsunami which occurred in Japan today, and in honor of all of those who have been lost to this tragedy, as well as the survivors left behind to cope, I offer this instead: 

A Prayer
Mi sheberakh avoteinu mekor habrakha l’imoteinu
May the Source of strength
Who blessed the ones before us
Help us find the courage
To make our lives a blessing,
And let us say: Amen.
Mi sheberakh imoteinu mekor habrakha l’avoteinu
Bless those in need of healing With refuah shleima:
The renewal of body,
The renewal of spirit,
And let us say: Amen

 This is usually a prayer said for the sick; at our synagogue it is sung toward the end of the service, after the Rabbi asks people to call out the names of loved ones who are ill, and it is a truly beautiful blessing. 


Here's another prayer which I located at Ask.com: 


In this time of darkness, let us serve as the light
That brings comfort and strength, hope and redemption.

It is our hands that move stones
And our hearts that move mountains
Sowing the seeds
Of unbroken tomorrows.

If you offer your compassion to the hungry
And satisfy the famished creature
Then shall your light
Shine in darkness
And your gloom
Shall be like noonday

Isaiah 58:10

And one more:

"Blessed are You, G-d, the True Judge." - traditional prayer said after a tragedy.

I find that no words seem to be enough; nothing bespeaks the pain of an event such as this.  Maybe, as the day goes along, you will find prayers of your own to say.  And as we all lift up our voices (whether silently or aloud) the healing can begin.