As I write this (25 Jan), there is breaking news of four more hostages released: Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag. Naama Levy, Karina Ariev.
My heart leapt to see 20-year-old Naama among them. In keeping with this prayer campaign (which encourages each of us to take under our wing one particular hostage) Naama’s name has been the last word I have uttered in prayer every night since November 2023. To see her free at last, after 477 days held hostage, is indeed a moment of intense joy and thanksgiving!
And yet, our hearts filled with joy are also hearts still in pain. Another 89 hostages remain in captivity (including the female civilians who were expected to be released today and were not, and the fate of the Bibas family unknown); the cease fire is fragile; Hamas maintains some kind of power; Israelis are rightly fearful that among the hundreds of Palestinian prisoners being released as part of the deal there will be those who will repeat the horrific crimes for which they were serving sentences. Meanwhile, Gaza is in ruins and countless people have been killed and lives disrupted.
Still, we push forward, uniting in prayer as these tense and difficult days of the hostage deal continue to unfold, praying that as many as possible will make it home and for a realistic and lasting resolution to the conflict.
G-d of life, liberation and peace, We give thanks for those hostages who are free at last, and for their families. We pray for their physical and mental recovery. Rescue those who remain in captivity, especially [name]. Heal their pain, in body and spirit. Give hope and strength and protection to all the hostages. May they make it through their ordeal. Be with their families and to all who advocate for their release. Be with all who are suffering so terribly in this war. Renew the dream for peace in human hearts, and the will and means to achieve it. Amen.
Please continue to invite friends, family, colleagues into our circle of prayer.