By Katie Beckmann Mahon, Communications Manager
This week’s “Embracing Faith” article will focus on Embracing Faith through Prayer.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” -Matthew 5:4
January 27th marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day where people worldwide will come together to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
On this day, those observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day will also reaffirm their efforts to end antisemitism, racism, and other forms of intolerance that may lead to group-targeted violence. (1)
Regardless of how you choose to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day, make it a point to take time during the day to pray.
A Prayer for Holocaust Remembrance Day (2)
On this most solemn of occasions, we open our hearts, minds, and souls to you. As we remember the six million, the eleven million, the indifference, and the evil; As we honor the heroes, the martyrs, the survivors, and the victims; We ask you to soothe our souls, to amplify our memories,
to strengthen our resolve, and to hear our prayers. We ask for your presence in our midst;
for healing, light, and love to soothe and ease our pain,
as we commemorate the horrors
that were committed not long ago.
Please, oh Holy One, be gentle with our souls. We ask that you help us to forever remember the stories we hear.
As tales of the atrocities are shared,
as we re-encounter the unthinkable,
we ask that these memories be strengthened and never fade,
in the hope that those who remember
the mistakes of the past will not repeat them.
Please, oh Holy One, amplify our ability to remember. We ask that you strengthen our will,
that you help us to ensure that the world
does not again see such monstrosities.
We say "never again" and we dedicate ourselves
to this principle, to the idea that justice
does not allow persecution, that genocide
shall not be repeated, and that vigilance
is the responsibility of freedom, at all costs.
Please, oh Holy One, make manifest our resolve
that these horrors remain but memories. We ask that you answer our prayers.
We pray that the call of evil falls on deaf ears,
that those who fight for freedom and justice
always prevail, that those who need
protection do not become victims.
We pray that the lessons we learn from
this darkest hour allow all humankind to better itself,
and to truly and nobly embody the idea
that we are each made in Your image.
We pray for the souls of the millions
and millions of victims of this brutality;
we pray that we honor their lives
and their memories by observing this day,
and by doing everything in our power and beyond
to make sure that no such shadow again darkens our world. Above all, we pray for shalom—for wholeness and peace—
to be in our midst, now and forever.
Please, oh Holy One, answer our prayers
and bring us a world devoid of hatred, filled instead with peace. Ken yehi ratzon – may this be God's will.
And may we all say together, Amen.