Holy City Prayer

Let us pray

The Holy City Prayer Society

Our Prayer for You

Members of the Holy City Prayer Society in Israel pray daily for all members. We have designed a general prayer, based on tradition thousands of years old, which is said daily with each member in mind.

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Traditional Prayers

A list of these traditional prayers and translated excerpts from them are provided here. More translations will be provided with time. Please refer back to this page to check progress.

We recommend using some or all of these formulated prayers as a starting point for your own prayers.

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Abundance

Bless our efforts with Abundance, O Lord our God, bless this year and all kinds of its yield for good; and shower down blessing upon the face of the earth: grant us blessings this our year that it should be as the good years. You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, who blesses the years.

Gathering of Israel

Blow the great trumpet for our Redemption, and lift a banner to gather our exiles, and gather us into one body from the four corners of the earth; You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, who gathers the dispersed of Your people Israel.

Good Leaders

Restore our judges and Leaders as of yore, and our counselors as in the beginning, and remove from us grief and sighing. Reign over us, O Lord, in loving-kindness, mercy, and justice. You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, the King who loves righteousness and justice.

No Hope for the Evil

May there be no hope for the evil; may wickedness perish in a moment; may all Your enemies be soon cut off, and speedily uproot the haughty speedily in our days. You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, who strikes down enemies and humbles the haughty.

Mercy for the Righteous

Have mercy on the righteous, O Lord our God, the pious and the elders of Your people, the House of Israel, and the righteous proselytes, and us. Bestow a goodly reward upon those who truly confide in Your name; and grant us our portion with them forever; and may we not come to shame, for we have trusted in You. You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, support and reliance for the righteous.

Rebuild Jerusalem

To Jerusalem Your city, return in mercy. Dwell in her midst as You have spoken, and build her speedily in our days and soon establish there the throne of David. You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, builder of Jerusalem.

Return of Davidic Dynasty

The sprout of David Your servant speedily sprout up; and his horn uplift through Your victorious salvation; for Your salvation we are hoping every day. You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, who causes salvation to sprout forth.

Accept Our Prayer

Hear our prayer, O Lord our God, spare and have mercy on us, and accept our prayer in mercy and favor. For You are a God that hears prayers and supplications. Do not turn us away empty-handed from You, O our King, for You hears the prayers of all in mercy. You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, who hears prayer.

Accept Our Service

Be pleased, O Lord our God, with Your people Israel, and take pleasure in prayer, and reestablish service in Your House. May our eyes behold Your merciful return to Zion. You are the Source of Blessing who restores Your Presence to Zion.

Thanksgiving

We thank You, O Lord, for You are our God as You were the God of our fathers, forever and ever. Rock of our life, Shield of our help, You are immutable from age to age. We thank You and utter Your praise, for our lives that are in Your hands, and for our souls that are entrusted to You; and for Your miracles that are with us every day and for Your marvelously kind deeds every day, evening and morning and noon. You are good, for Your mercies are endless. You are merciful, for Your kindnesses never end: and we always hope in You. And for all these things may Your name be blessed and exalted always and forevermore. And all the living will give thanks unto You and praise Your great name in truth, God, our salvation and help. Selah. You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, Whose name is Good, and to You it is befitting to give thanks.

Peace

Bestow Peace, happiness, and blessing, grace, loving-kindness, and mercy upon us and upon all Israel Your people: bless us, our Father, by the light of Your countenance, for by this light of Your countenance You gave us, O Lord our God, the law of life, loving-kindness, and righteousness, and blessing and mercy, life and peace. May it be good in Your eyes to bless Your people Israel at all time with Your peace. You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, who blesses Your people Israel with peace.

The Priestly Blessings

Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel:

you shall say to them,

"May the LORD bless you and keep you;

May the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

May the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.

(Numbers 6:23-27)

Confession Vidui

Our God and the God of our fathers, may our prayers come before You, and do not disregard our supplication. For we are not so bold and stiff-necked to say before you, oh God and God of our fathers, that we are saints and have not sinned; rather we and our fathers have sinned.

We have sinned with guilt, we have betrayed you, we have stolen, we have spoken wrongly, we have sinned willfully, and have caused others to sin, we have sinned on purpose, we have forced others to give us things, and we have lied. We have given bad advice, we have falsified, we have made fun of others, we have rebelled, we have cursed others, we have strayed from the proper path, have turned others away, we have committed crimes, we have been wicked, we have been stiff-necked. We have been terrible, we have been corrupt, we have been abominable, we have turned astray and have made others turn astray.

We have turned away from your commandments and your good laws, but it wasn't worth it! And you are righteous about all that happens to us, for you do right, and we have sinned.

The Thirteen Attributes of God (Exodus 34, Psalms 80, 6)

The LORD descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the LORD.

Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;"

Who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; and will clean (sins).

Supplication (Samuel II 24, Psalms 6)

And David said to Gad: I am very sad. Let us fall bin the hands of God, as His mercies are many, but let me not fall in the hands of man.

Compassionate and gracious One, I have sinned before You. O Lord, full of mercy, have mercy upon me and accept my supplication.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your wrath.

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am pining away; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed.

And my soul is greatly dismayed; But You, O Lord—how long?

Return, O Lord, rescue my soul; Save me because of Your lovingkindness.

For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks?

I am weary with my sighing; every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears.

My eye has wasted away with anger; it has become old because of all my adversaries.

Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.

The Lord has heard my supplication, The Lord receives my prayer.

All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed; they shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed.

Collected Verses Tachanun

Guardian of Israel, please guard the remnant of Israel! And cause not Israel to be lost, those who say Hear O Israel!

Guardian of one Nation, please guard the remnant of this One Nation, and cause not this One Nation to be lost, those who say the Lord is our God, the lord is One!

Guardian of this Holy Nation, please guard the remnant of this holy Nation, and cause not this holy Nation to be lost, those who say each day, Holy, Holy, Holy!

You who see our supplications favorably and forgive us through our prayers, favor us and forgive us, the poor generation, as we have no other help. Our Father, our King, Have compassion for us and answer us, as we have no redeeming credit. Treat us with charity and kindness and save us.

And we know not what to do, as our eyes are only upon you. Remember Your compassion, oh God, and your kindness, for they existed forever. May your compassion for us, Oh Lord, be as we prayed to You. Do not remember our initial sins, quickly replace them with your kindness, for we are exceedingly poor. Help us in God's name, the Creator of heaven and earth. Have mercy on us, God, Have mercy! For we have had too much scorn. In anger, remember mercy. In anger, remember the perfect one, the bound one. In anger, remember the merciful one. God, Save! Oh King, answer us on the day we call you! For He knows our evil inclination and the fact that we are but dust. Help us, the God of our salvation, for the sake of your Glorious Name, and save us and atone our sins for Your name.

Psalm 20

For the choir director. A Psalm of David. May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!

May He send you help from the sanctuary and support you from Zion!

May He remember all your meal offerings And find your burnt offering acceptable! Selah.

May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your counsel!

We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.

These with chariots and those with horses, but we will use the name of the Lord, our God.

They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stood upright.

Save, O Lord; King! Answer us in the day we call!

Sanctification of the Prophets (Isaiah 59, Psalms 20, Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 3, Exodus 15)

And the Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who return from sin in Jacob, says God. And as for Me, this is My covenant with them, says God, My spirit that is on you, and My word which I put in your mouth, it will not leave your mouth and the mouths of your children or your children's children, says God, from now until forever.

And You are holy, and sit upon the throne of Israel's praises. And call one to another:

Holy! Holy! Holy! Is the Lord of Hosts, the whole world is full of His glory!

Then a spirit lifted me and I heard behind me a great noise:

May God's Honor be blessed from His place!

God is king forever!

Collected Verses Uva Letzion

God, Lord of Abraham, Isaac and Israel our forefathers, save this forever. Guard the thoughts of Your people's hearts, and point their hearts toward You. And He is compassionate, forgiving of sin, and will not destroy, He continually holds back His anger and does not let it through. For You, God, are good and forgiving and full of kindness for all who call upon You. Your righteousness is eternal and your Torah is truth. Give truth to Jacob, kindness to Abraham, as You swore to our forefathers from days gone by. God is blessed each and every day, he gives to us abundantly, He is the God that saves us. Selah! God of Hosts is with us, is above us, the God of Jacob, Selah. Lord of Hosts!! Happy is the man who trusts in You. God! Save us! The Kind will Answer us on the day we call him. Blessed is God who created us for His honor, and separated us from those who err, gave us the true Torah, and planted eternal life in us. He will open our hearts to His Torah and plant in our hearts His love and fear, to do his will and serve Him with a complete heart. So that we not waste our actions nor make efforts for naught. May it be Your will, God and God of our fathers, that we follow your laws in this world, and we will merit and live and see and inherit good and blessing in the years and days of the Mashiach and the world to come. So that we may sing of your honor and not be silent, God is My Lord and I will praise you forever! Blessed is the man who trusts in God and God is his trust. Trust in God forever, as in the Lord God is the source of the worlds. And those who know Your name will trust in You as you do not abandon those who yearn for You, God. God wants--for the sake of His righteousness--that Torah will be made great and glorious.

Sunday's Psalm 24

A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.

For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD, and who may stand in His holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This is the generation of those who seek Him, those who seek Your face—even Jacob. Selah.

Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, and the King of glory shall come in!

Who is the King of glory? The LORD is strong and mighty, the LORD is mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, and the King of glory will come in!

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.

Monday's Psalm 48
This Psalm sings of the Beauty and Glory of Zion. It is traditionally said each Monday morning.
 
A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.
 
1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, His holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great King.
3 God, in her palaces, has made Himself known as a stronghold.
4 For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together.
5 They saw it, then they were amazed; they were terrified, they fled in alarm.
6 Panic seized them there, anguish, as of a woman in childbirth.
7 With the east wind You break the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God;
God will establish her forever. Selah.
9 We have thought on Your lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of Your temple.
10 As is Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion be glad, let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion and go around her; count her towers.
13 Consider her ramparts; go through her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation.
14 For such is God, our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death.
Tuesday's Psalm 82

A Psalm of Asaph. God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers. 

How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah.

Vindicate the weak and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and destitute. 

Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. 

They do not know nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 

I said, “You are like gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High. 

“Nevertheless you will die like men and fall like any one of the princes.” 

Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is You who possesses all the nations.

Wednesday's Psalm 94

On Wednesdays, Psalm 94 is traditionally said following morning prayers, followed by the introduction to Psalm 95, which is a hint to its recitation during the introductory Shabbat service.

1 O LORD, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth.

2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.

3 How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant?

4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.

5 They crush Your people, O LORD; they oppress Your inheritance.

6 They slay the widow and the alien; they murder the fatherless.

7 They say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed."

8 Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?

9 Does He who implanted the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see?

10 Does He who disciplines nations not punish? Does He who teaches man lack knowledge?

11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man; as they are futile.

12 Happy is the man you discipline, O LORD, and that You teach from your law;

13 You grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.

14 For the LORD will not reject his people; He will never forsake his inheritance.

15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

17 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

18 If I would say, "My foot is slipping," Your love, O LORD, supported me.

19 When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.

20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you — one that brings on misery by its decrees?

21 They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them.

Psalm 95

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

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Thanksgiving Prayer (Hodu) - Part Two

This passage is recited each morning as a continuation of 1 Chronicles, chapter 16. It is a compendium of verses from Psalms.
Exalt the Lord our God and bow to His footstool, he is Holy. (Psalms 99:5)
Exalt the Lord our God and bow to His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is Holy. (Psalms 99:9)
God is Merciful, he will forgive sin, and will not destroy. He abundantly restrains His anger, and does not awaken His entire rage. (Psalms 78:38)
You, God, will not withhold Your lovingkindness from me. Your grace and truth will always protect me.(Psalms 40:12)
Remember Your mercies, oh God, and your kindness, as they have [no end and] no beginning. (Psalms 25:6)
Give strength to God, for His pride is upon Israel, and His strength is in the heavens. (Psalms 68:35)
God is awesome from Your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strenght and power to His people, blessed is God. (Psalms 68:36)
God is Lord of vengeance, the God of vengeance has appeared. Arise, O Judge of the land, and render to the haughty their just rewards. (Psalms 94:1-2)
Salvation is of God, Your blessings are on your people, Selah! (Psalms 3:9)
The Lord of Hosts is with us, he is a stronghold for us, the God of Jacob. Selah! (Psalms 46:8)
Oh Lord of Hosts! Happy is the man who trusts in You. (Psalms 84:13)
Oh Lord! Save us the King will answer us on the day that we call Him. (Psalms 20:10)
This passage is recited each morning as a continuation of 1 Chronicles, chapter 16. It is a compendium of verses from Psalms.
Exalt the Lord our God and bow to His footstool, he is Holy. (Psalms 99:5)
Exalt the Lord our God and bow to His holy mountain, for the Lord our God is Holy. (Psalms 99:9)
God is Merciful, he will forgive sin, and will not destroy. He abundantly restrains His anger, and does not awaken His entire rage. (Psalms 78:38)
You, God, will not withhold Your lovingkindness from me. Your grace and truth will always protect me.(Psalms 40:12)
Remember Your mercies, oh God, and your kindness, as they have [no end and] no beginning. (Psalms 25:6)
Give strength to God, for His pride is upon Israel, and His strength is in the heavens. (Psalms 68:35)
God is awesome from Your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strenght and power to His people, blessed is God. (Psalms 68:36)
God is Lord of vengeance, the God of vengeance has appeared. Arise, O Judge of the land, and render to the haughty their just rewards. (Psalms 94:1-2)
Salvation is of God, Your blessings are on your people, Selah! (Psalms 3:9)
The Lord of Hosts is with us, he is a stronghold for us, the God of Jacob. Selah! (Psalms 46:8)
Oh Lord of Hosts! Happy is the man who trusts in You. (Psalms 84:13)
Oh Lord! Save us the King will answer us on the day that we call Him. (Psalms 20:10)

Thanksgiving Prayer (Hodu) - Part One

This poem is from 1 Chronicles, chapter 16. King David sang it when he was bringing the Ark of the Lord to Giv'on:
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.
Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth,
O seed of Israel His servant, Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth.
Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations,
The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac.
He also confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan, As the portion of your inheritance.”
When they were only a few in number, Very few, and strangers in it,
And they wandered about from nation to nation, And from one kingdom to another people,
He permitted no man to oppress them, And He reproved kings for their sakes, saying,
“Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.”
Sing to the LORD, all the earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the LORD in holy array.
Tremble before Him, all the earth; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”
Let the sea roar, and all it contains; Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD; For He is coming to judge the earth.
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Then say, “Save us, O God of our salvation, And gather us and deliver us from the nations, To give thanks to Your holy name, And glory in Your praise.”
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, From everlasting even to everlasting. Then all the people said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD.

Blessing over Morning Psalms

Bless the One who spoke and the world sprang into existence; bless Him!
Bless the Maker of Creation! Bless the One who speaks and does; Bless the One who decrees and follows through!
Bless the One who has mercy upon the earth; Bless the One who has mercy upon His creatures!
Bless the One who pays a good reward to those who fear Him! Bless the One who lives forever and ever;
Bless the One who redeems and delivers!
You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord our God, King of the world, O God and merciful Father; praised by the
mouth of Your people, lauded and glorified by Your pious ones, and Your worshipers! As we praise You, O Lord
our God, with the songs of David Your servant, with praises and psalms we glorify You, and mention Your name,
and proclaim You our King, O our God, the Only One, the One who lives throughout all eternity; O King, praised
and glorified be Your great name for ever and ever.

You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord, the King who is extolled with praises.

Psalm 30

A psalm by David sung at the dedication of the temple.
I will honor you highly, O LORD, because you have pulled me out of the pit and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried out to you for help, and you healed me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the grave. You called me back to life from among those who had gone into the pit.
Make music to praise the LORD, you faithful people who belong to him. Remember his holiness by giving thanks.
His anger lasts only a moment. His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may last for the night, but there is a song of joy in the morning.
When all was well with me, I said, "I will never be shaken."
O LORD, by your favor you have made my mountain stand firm. When you hid your face, I was terrified.
I will cry out to you, O LORD. I will plead to the Lord for mercy:
"How will you profit if my blood is shed, if I go into the pit? Will the dust of my body give thanks to you? Will it tell about your truth?"
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me! O LORD, be my helper!
You have changed my sobbing into dancing. You have removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy
so that my soul may praise you with music and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

This beautiful poem extols the King of the Universe, starting with His eternity and omnipotence,
and ending with His closeness to whoever chooses to be close to Him.

Adon Olam

Master of the World, Who reigned before any creation was made,
When all was done according to His will, at that moment–"King" was His name.
And after all shall be finished, he shall rule alone in His awesomeness.
And he was, and he is, and he will be in glory.
And He is One, there is no second to compare to Him or that can align with Him.
Without beginning, without end, and His is power and sovereignty.
And He is my God, my Living Redeemer, and my Rock when I am afflicted at times of trouble.
And He is my banner and refuge, my cup's portion the day I call.
Into His hand I commit my spirit when I go to sleep until I awake.
And when my last breath comes and leaves my body an empty shell, the Lord is mine, I know no fear.

Prayer For The Soul

This prayer is traditionally said each morning. It sets the tone for the entire day, recognizing that without0
God's gift of rejuvenating our souls every day, even every minute, we would be no more than an empty shell.

My God!

The soul that You have given me is holy. You created it, You made it, You instilled it within me.
You guard over it inside me, and one day You will take it from me, and return it to me One Day in the future.

As long as my soul is inside me, I thank You, my God and God of my fathers, master of all creations, creator of all souls.

You are the Source of all blessings, God, Who returns souls to the dead.

Thanks For Bodily Functions

"A healthy soul in a healthy body," goes the saying. And we have no one to thank for our
physical health but the Chief Human Engineer Who created us all in His infinite wisdom.

This prayer is traditionally recited after leaving the restroom:

You are the Source of Blessing, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who fashioned man
with wisdom, and created within him many openings and many cavities.

It is clearly known before Your Throne of Glory that if one of the organs which is closed should
open, or if one of the open ones should close, it would be impossible to exist and stand before you, even for a moment.

You are the Source of Blessing, God, who heals all flesh and performs wonders.

Modeh Ani

This prayer is said upon rising in the morning, before any other activity or speaking.

I acknowledge and thank You,
living and everlasting King,
for my soul which You have returned to me,
in great grace and loving kindness.

Your faith is wondrous.