**PRAYER TO BE SAID FOR A WAYWARD CHILD** Prior to lighting the Sabbath candles, put money into a tzedakah box

(pushka), and say: I donate this money to the righteous cause of (name the cause) in honor of our forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and our foremothers Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah. May their merit benefit us and all Israel and render my prayer acceptable to the blessed Infinite One, ADONAI. May the Infinite One, ADONAI, answer me, and bless me (my husband, sons, and daughters) with health and strength, acceptance of Torah, and the love of Heaven. Bestow on us Your bountiful blessing of a long and a good life of peace, good sustenance, harmony, and success. Spare us from illness and misfortune, and send home our wayward child (name of child), who has strayed from his/her family, Your Torah and from Your people, Israel. May we merit Your salvation and see the renewal of Zion and Jerusalem, and the building of the Holy Temple as a House of Prayer for all peoples, speedily in our lifetime. Ameyn. May the words of my lips and the meditation with my thoughts and heart be pleasing before You, Infinite One, my Rock and my Redeemer. May my prayer to You, Infinite One, be at a favorable time; ADONAI in Your abundant kindness, answer me with the truth of Your salvation. After lighting the candles, say: May it be Your Will, Infinite One, our God and God of our ancestors, that the Holy Temple be rebuilt as a House of Prayer for all peoples soon and in our lifetime, and give us our portion in your Torah, so that we may serve You there with reverence as our ancestors did in times past and as in former years. May it be Your Will, Infinite One, our God and God of our ancestors, that You show favor to me (my husband) and all my relatives. Grant us, all righteous people, and all Israel, a good and long life, bring our wayward children back to Your people and the Path of Torah, and remember us with a favorable memory and blessing. Recall us with a recollection of salvation and mercy, and cause Your Shekinah to dwell among us. Make us worthy of raising wise and understanding children and grand-children, who love the Infinite One, are God-fearing and truthful, holy offspring who honor the chain of tradition and Torah, who will cling to the Infinite One and illuminate the world with Torah, good deeds, and all manner of service to the Creator. Please accept my plea in the merit of our Mothers Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah, and cause our light to glow brightly forever. Let Your countenance shine, so that we may be saved as Your people, Ameyn.

In the words of the prophet Jeremiah: So says God: "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping; Rachel weeps for her children, she refuses to be comforted, for her children, who is not." So says God: "Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for there is reward for your effort, says God; and they shall return from the land of the enemy. And there is hope for your future, says God, and the children shall return to their border."