I’ve been praying for each of the hostages individually and as a group every day, and last week shared the incomplete list that I was using. The list here seems to be the most updated, with the names missing from the last list now available. (It looks to me that the names of the two hostages that were freed yesterday have been removed.) I tried to load it here for you but it’s saved in a form that doesn’t allow downloads. I was able to print it out from the site linked.

While we understand intellectually that each of the hostages is an individual, reading each name can be very emotionally evocative. Some find that the emotion it brings up allows them to pray with more intention and focus, but others will be overwhelmed by the intensity of feelings that may come up.

If it’s too much for you to pray for the individuals, please say a general pray for their well-being and safety. There is no benefit to becoming emotionally overwhelmed by the thought of the suffering, and there’s no room for guilt about not using the list since there is no right or wrong way to pray.

When I use this list, I feel like I’m doing something concrete to help our suffering brethren. I find it powerful and helpful for me. Please take your emotional pulse and see what feels like the right way for you to pray for those suffering, and then do that.

And for those overwhelmed by their own desire to pray and do good deeds, but not managing to do it – it’s okay to think of our hostages while trying to be a calm and loving spouse/mother/individual. The entire Israeli society is so stressed right now and you can feel the tension everywhere you go. I think this is a situation of the airplane oxygen mask – first be sure your emotional equilibrium is set, and then tend to being of service to others.

Avivah