May He who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David and Solomon, bless, protect, and guard the members of Israel’s Defense Forces missing in action or held captive, and other captives among our brethren, the whole House of Israel, who are in distress and captivity [as we, the members of this holy congregation, pray on their behalf].
May the Holy One, blessed be He, have compassion on them, and bring them out from darkness and the shadow of death.
May He break their bonds, deliver them from their distress, and return them swiftly to their families’ embrace.
Give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for the wonders He does for the mankind, and may there be fulfilled in them the verse: “Those redeemed by the Lord will return; they will enter Zion with singing, and everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” And let us say Amen.
The Koren Sacks Siddur, p. 525; The Rav Kook Siddur, p. 595
Hebrew text from the siddurim (prayer books) cited above:
In addition to the prayer, Psalms 121, 142, and 143 can also be recited for more comfort and resilience.
Photo credit: La Jolla Bay © Lane Igoudin, 2022
Lane Igoudin 