Prayer for Nelson Mandela

Dear G-d, Master of the Universe,

We, the people of South Africa, and indeed so many around the world, come before You in heartfelt prayer to beseech You to bless our former President, our beloved Madiba, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, at this time when he is so gravely ill and fighting for his life. We ask You, O King, to protect Madiba from any pain and suffering, both physical and emotional, and to give him the strength, comfort and well-being he so desperately needs at this time.

We come together now, united in our belief in the power of prayer, and in Your compassion. We humbly give thanks to You, O L-rd, for giving us the gift of Nelson Mandela. We are grateful for his heroic and selfless leadership of South Africa in guiding our country to freedom and democracy.

We are grateful for his courage and dignity in adversity, and for his mighty power of forgiveness, which helped create this great nation. We are grateful for how he united us, and served as a dedicated and humble President.

In the merit of our unified prayers across this nation and the world, we also ask You, O L-rd G-d, to bless the people of this great country, of the miracle rainbow nation, and to inspire our hearts to walk in the path of Nelson Mandela, to live up to his majestic legacy.

And let us say Amen.