Three weeks ago, I shared that the body of the berakhah “Atah Gibbor” became for me more of a request than the intended praise. “מְחַיֵּה מֵתִים בְּרַחֲמִים רַבִּים” bringing to mind the videos of soldiers getting a warm and excited greeting when they came home. “סוֹמֵךְ נוֹפְ֒לִים” – those the war drove to PTSD or depression. “וְרוֹפֵא חוֹלִים” – the injured. “וּמַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים” – of course, the captives. And “וּמְקַיֵּם אֱמוּנָתוֹ לִישֵׁנֵי עָפָר” had me praying that the war leads to better security and peace, that the fallens’ sacrifice at least brought something of lasting value.

But now, the captives are home – all of those still living, and most of those who r”l no longer are. So many soldiers are returning to their homes.

And the tefillah shifted for me. No longer a request, the words evoke hope.

Hashem’s plan at many times requires Gevurah. The strength to stand back and let the other be their own person; even to make their own mistakes. And humanity made a mess. He agreed it was time to free the captives. He can and will give us the rest of the relief.

Hopefully at this point many of you following this series are collecting your own list of prayers that you can relate to in a deeper way. Don’t force a meaning on the prayer. As life and our situations change, we have different things to say to our Creator. And that is supposed to change how you relate to the words of the siddur.