Office for prayer in connection with the Jewish people

Meditation

“The Jewish people remain the living root of the Christian faith. We want to mark this attachment by praying for the members of the Jewish people every first Thursday of the month. We believe that this intention is a source of blessing in our journey towards unity among the churches. »

Meditation Text written by a deported Jew. The text was found in the archives of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Peace to all men of ill will!
May vengeance cease, may all calls for punishment and retribution end…
The crimes have exceeded all measure, all understanding.
Let us bring an end to the outburst of violence.
There are already too many victims, too many martyrs…
Therefore, Lord, do not weigh their suffering according to the scales of Your justice, and do not leave their suffering as a debt for their tormentors to pay, forcing upon them a terrible reckoning.
May they be repaid in another way.
Lord, record in favour of the executioners, the informers, the traitors, and all men of ill will: the courage, the spiritual strength of the others, their humility, their dignity, their constant inner struggle, and their invincible hope, the smile that dried tears, their love, their broken hearts that remained firm and trusting even in the face of death, up to the moments of their greatest weakness…
May all this, O Lord, be laid before You:
for the forgiveness of sins,
as a ransom for the triumph of justice,
and that good may be accounted for, and not evil!
And may we remain in the memory of our enemies
not as their victims, not as a nightmare,
not as specters clinging to their steps, but as supports in their battle… to bring an end to the fury of their criminal passions.
We ask for nothing more of them.

And when all this is over, Lord, grant us to live,
men among men,
and may peace return to our poor earth:
Peace for all men of good will, and for all the others as well…

Suggested reading

Intercessions

R. Amen, amen, blessed be the God of Israel
Or another refrain

1. Most Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who wept for the violence between Cain and Abel,
we pray for peace in the Middle East,
for all the people who inhabits this land
where you have chosen to join us in our humanity.

 2. Most Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who made possible the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers,
for any contempt for your people Israel, forgive us (silence).
We pray to you, Father, to make fraternity grow between the Jewish people and the nations.

 3. Most Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who brought Israel out of Egypt and made your people free,
give your joy to the Jewish people,
and keep them faithful to your covenant.

 4. Most Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who united the twelve tribes of Israel around the Torah,
give peace to the Jews who believe in Jesus.

 5. Most Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who sent your Son Jesus to save us,
Make your blessing rest on Christians who are of Jewish origin.

 6. Most Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
Father of Jesus Christ,
you who gave your beloved Son so that all might be one
gather all Christian churches together in unity. 

7. Most Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who promised the Jewish people the coming of the Messiah,
you who promised the Church the return of your son
We praise you and we say in the Holy spirit “Maranatha, come Lord!”.

Prayer

Eternal and almighty God,

listen to the prayer of your Church.

You who chose Abraham and his descendants

to make them the children of your promise,

Lead to the fullness of redemption

the first people of the Covenant.

Let the nations of the earth

be welcomed by grace into the family of Abraham,

and may all of creation joyfully enter into your reign of peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.