PRAYER FOR THE PEOPLE OF DARFUR

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks

O God of Peace,

Who commands us to seek peace,

Send peace to the people of Darfur.

O God of compassion,

Who hears the cry of the afflicted,

Hear the cry of the victims,

The bereaved, the injured,

And all those who live their days in fear.

Rouse the hearts of the leaders of the world

To put an end to the bloodshed, the violence,

The rape, the starvation, and the terror,

That has ravaged and endangered an entire population.

Be with those who are working for peace,

Or tending the sick,

Or bringing food to the hungry,

Or shelter to the homeless,

Or hope to those close to despair.

O God of justice and love,

Let us not be indifferent

To the cry of the persecuted

And the tears of those who have seen

Their homes, their families and their communities destroyed.

And may their plea and their plight

Reach the ears and hearts of those who have it in their power

To bring peace to a troubled region

And aid to a devastated people.

Oseh shalom bimromav:

May You who makes peace in Your high places

Help us make peace down here on earth. Amen.

17 September 2006