Prayer for a Child Facing Open Heart Surgery

A prayer for a child facing open heart surgery, and for the parents and grandparents who wait.

Yotzer HaLev, Fashioner of the Heart,

You who gave this precious child his first heartbeat,

Who set its rhythm before his first breath,

Watch over him now

As surgeons prepare to open his chest

And mend the heart that holds so much love.

Rofei HaCholim, Healer of the Sick,

Steady the surgeons’ hands,

Sharpen their sight, guide their judgment.

Let each stitch bring strength,

Each repaired passage restore possibility,

Each heartbeat carry him closer to healing.

And God, hold close his parents,

Whose hearts ache as their child’s heart is opened.

Who would gladly open their own chests,

And offer him their hearts,

If only it would spare him this pain.

Give them courage for the waiting,

And someone to hold them

When they can no longer hold themselves together.

Bless his grandparents, too,

Who have watched one generation grow

And now pray for the next.

They know how fragile life can be,

How fiercely love can ache.

Hold them through the hours of waiting,

Until they can hold their grandson again.

Shomer Yisrael, Guardian of Israel,

Be the breath between his breaths,

The strength within his healing heart.

Carry him safely through surgery,

Through pain and toward recovery,

Until those who love him hear again

The sound they’ve been praying for:

His laughter filling the room.

Baruch Atah Adonai,

Rofei HaCholim,

Blessed are You, Healer of the Sick,

Who holds the hearts of those we love.

Amen.