We have looked at a variety of forms of connection. Today we are going to examine the connections one feels if you know that people are praying for you if you are sick. My friend, Jeanne Davies, posted this quote this morning, “Rarely if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.” Bell Hooks 

Every week, Friday and Saturday, I ask for names that we are concerned about for healing, of mind, body and spirit. Some people come with a list prepared. Some, including me, forget during the sharing portion and then have to add another name later. People smile at each other, notice if someone is off the list, ask questions later.  

Most often we sing Debbie Friedman’s Mi Sheberach song,  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHKo3CjuzpY 

 Mi shebeirach avoteinu
M’kor hab’racha l’imoteinu
May the source of strength
Who blessed the ones before us
Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing
And let us say Amen 

Mi shebeirach imoteinu
M’kor habrachah l’avoteinu
Bless those in need of healing with r’fuah sh’leimah
The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit
And let us say Amen 

It connects us, one to another. I also really like the El Na Refa na la, from Hadassah Hospital: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0D72zDZCI4 

Simply translated, G-d, please bring healing.  

There have been many studies that show that knowing that people are praying for you, however we see praying, may help in the healing. That’s connection. If you know someone cares, that helps. That’s connection. Recently the John Templeton Foundation, published this study, https://www.templeton.org/news/what-can-science-say-about-the-study-of-prayer  

Whether yes or no, we will continue to offer prayers of healing, as they help the individual and they help us as a community, stay connected, one to another.