My Book of Names

A week before Hubby and I got married, I sent out an email to my entire email address book, letting people know that I wanted to help them pray for the things they really want/need in their lives. I asked them to send me their Hebrew names and their mothers' Hebrew names. Then I asked them to write what they would like me to request for them(ie. a speedy recovery, a husband, a wife, healthy children, financial stability, a quick and easy delivery, a fast and minimally painful divorce, etc). It is said that on her wedding day, a very auspicious time, the bride has a direct channel of communication with G-d.

On my wedding day, before I was married , while praying at the Kotel with my book of names, I made a commitment that the book of names would not be "just for the wedding day", but rather that I would pray for the people in that book every Friday night at candlelighting and that I would add names to the various categories whenever needed or requested.


Hubby and I have been married almost 3 years now and many names have been removed from the book. People who have struggled for years to conceive now have healthy babies, thank G-d. Others who had been searching for their significant others for many years were blessed to find their other half. People who were very ill and were suffering terribly are now no longer suffering, either because they were blessed with miraculous recoveries or they joined their Creator in a place where suffering doesn't exist.

I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that every single one of us can have an impact on the fate of our fellow Jew. Think about the people you know and love. Think about what you know they would love to have and don't. Imagine that your prayer for them can open the Heavens and grab G-d's attention. G-d listens to every single prayer. Sometimes his answer is "no", but as our Heavenly Father, He knows what's best for us. Imagine never saying "no" to your children....What would become of them? And why should G-d treat His children any differently than we treat ours?

Every day, new names are added to my book. Many are names of people I've never met, but I consider them to be my brothers and sisters, so I pray for them like I would for a close family member or a dear friend. I pray for the quickest salvation from their current challenges and  am reminded daily that Yeshuat Hashem Ke'Heref Ayin...G-d's Salvation comes like the blink of an eye.

It is also said that if there's something you desperately want and you know that someone else wants that very same thing(ie. a healthy baby, a husband, a wife, etc), if you pray for them from deep within your heart, G-d will bless you with whatever it is first.

I encourage you all, my dear readers, to think about the people you love and care about. Be their advocates. Be their cheerleaders. Ask G-d to bless them with their deepest heart's desires and you too will be blessed.

Love,

Cigal