Queen Esther, seized with deadly anxiety, fled to the Lord.
She prayed to the Lord God of Israel, and said:
"O my Lord, you only are our king; help me,
who am alone and have no helper but you,
for my danger is in my hand. But save us
by your hand, and help me, who am alone
and have no helper but you, O Lord."
Esther 14:1, 3-4, 14
Compare Queen Esther's prayer with the words below.
O Paalanhare (O Saviour) from the movie Lagaan – Once upon a time in India.
O Saviour!
O Pure of Essence! Our Dearly Beloved
We have no one but You
Ease our troubles, O Lord
We have no one but You
You alone are our sole support
You alone are our protector
We have no one but You
We have no one but You
You have filled the moon with light
The sun shines only because of You
Your splendor lights the sky with stars
O Lord …
If not you, who will preserve this life?
O Saviour!
O Pure of Essence! Our Dearly Beloved
We have no one but You
If You’d heed, O Lord, we make this plea
To those who suffer grant them courage …
May not hardship ever defeat them
To the weak give your protection …
So they may live in peace
To devotion, give strength
You are the Lord of all universe
Listen to this plea
When the path is full of darkness
Give us the boon of light
O Saviour!
O Pure of Essence! Our Dearly Beloved
We have no one but You
Ease our troubles, O Lord
We have no one but You
O Saviour!
This prayer for children is from the movie Fiddler On TheRoof, a true classic. If you've not yet seen this movie, Reb Tevye and his wife are praying for their children ... five daughters.
May the Lord protect and defend you
May He always shield you from shame
May you come to be
In Israel a shining name
May you be like Ruth and like Esther
May you be deserving of praise
Strengthen them, O Lord
And keep them from the stranger's way
May God bless you
And grant you long lives
May the Lord fulfill our Sabbath prayer for you
May God make you good mothers and wives
May He send you husbands who will care for you
May the Lord protect and defend you
May the Lord preserve you from pain
Favour them, O Lord
With happiness and peace
Oh, hear our Sabbath prayer. Amen
When you see this movie, you will hear Reb Tevye's favourite line "As the Good Book says ..."
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