A Prayer for New York City After a Mass Shooting
Rabbi Menachem Creditor
Eil Maleh Rachamim,
God of Compassion,
God of broken hearts,
God of weary souls,
We gather in grief, in rage, in trembling hope.
Last night, five precious lives were taken in an act of senseless violence
—each of them was a world complete.
A guardian of peace among them, slain in service.
We name their memories sacred.
We cry out together, across all faiths, refusing numbness.
Let our tears become prayers,
our prayers become action,
our action become healing.
Shelter the grieving.
Strengthen the healers.
Protect our protectors.
Be with those whose families are shattered.
Disrupt the violence in us and around us.
In the city that never sleeps, now shaken awake by sorrow,
We dare to say: this is not the end.
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
We ask that You comfort our city and each of us now, Holy One.
Amen.
