A Bereaved Mother's Prayer - A tribute to the families who paid the highest price for our freedom.

About this sermon

Download the song Here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/763d570/----feat-aviva-avidan On Thursday, December 14, 2023, the news arrived that Uriah, a soldier in the “Maglan” commando unit, had been seriously injured and was being treated in the intensive care unit at Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva. The next morning, we arrived at the hospital. I remember well the hug with Gideon, Uriah's father. His arms were strong as always, but they trembled slightly. In a weak yet confident voice, he whispered in my ear: "God never makes mistakes, but we don't always understand Him." Gideon came to Israel with his parents in 1972 when he was two years old. The family are non-Jewish Germans who love Israel, and especially the God of Israel. After they arrived in the country, they established a convalescent home and a retirement home for Holocaust survivors. Gideon and his wife, Nelly, have five children. Uriah was the fourth of them. When the war began, four of their five children (the youngest is still in high school) went out to defend their country, our country. Nelly and Gideon prayed that God would protect their children and bring them home safely. Then came the phone call with the bitter news of Uriah's severe injury. Uriah fought for three days until the injury overcame the strong, handsome, loving, and beloved young man. On the day of his burial, Nelly, the woman from Germany who made Israel her home and homeland, delivered a eulogy in which she uniquely and profoundly described the meaning of being a mother in Israel. Her love for the people of Israel and the land of Israel, her Zionist values, her unbearable pain alongside her unwavering hope in the God of Israel, left a deep impression on all of us, a mixture of sadness and hope. This feeling is shared by everyone who has been in contact with the family since that terrible day. The pain has not faded, and the hope has not lost its strength. The pure and unshakable faith of Nelly, Gideon, and the rest of the family is a model for every person. With tear-filled yet wide-open eyes, they look at reality and cling to their belief that God is good and that He never makes mistakes. Sometimes, we don't understand Him. And so, the whole family continues to give and contribute, to love and to be a blessing to so many. The song "The prayers of Bereaved Mother" was written in inspiration of the dear Bayer family. The lyrics are the result of things they said, and sometimes what their eyes expressed when their mouths couldn't utter even a faint whisper. This song is not about Uriah Bayer, but his memory is in every word and every note, and therefore the song is dedicated to him and his family. I would like to thank all those involved in this project - those who encouraged, supported, commented, and illuminated. To all the professionals who willingly joined in so we could produce the song with proper quality. Thank you, Nelly, Gideon, and the rest of the family, for allowing us to glimpse into your special character and draw strength from your great hope. Thank you, God, for Your unwavering faithfulness to Your people! Eitan Kashtan Credits: Lyrics and Music: Eitan Kashtan Arrangement: Gal Padeh Singing: Aviva Avidan Vocals: Gal Padeh Classic, Acoustic and Electric Guitar: Avi Singolda Bass: Avi Ifrach Keyboard, Piano, drums and percussions: Gal Padeh Strings performance & string arrangement by Yoed Nir Strings recorded at Yoed Nir's Studios Recordings and Mix: Gal Padeh – Studio 39 Mastering: Jonathan Danino Lyrics: My God, my Savior, hear my prayer, let my cry come to You. For my days have vanished away in smoke and ashes, I became like a ruined place. My God, my Savior, my heart is stormed, the sounds of war thunder. I cried out, "My God, protect my children," that they may return to me safely. Chorus: My God, answer me, hear my supplication. My God, Father, please strengthen me. And suddenly, disaster knocked at my door. Darkness enveloped my soul. Days passed, hope was lost – "Approved for publication" – that's me! You didn't err, my God. I don’t know why You took my son from me. You didn't make mistake, my God. You didn't abandon Your kindness even as my world fell apart. Chorus: My God, answer me, hear my supplication My God, Father, please comfort me Bridge: Our hope is not lost, The hope of two thousand years, To be a free people in our land, The land of Zion and Jerusalem. Our hope is not lost, The hope of two thousand years, For the Messiah to return to our land, To Zion, to Jerusalem! And I remember, the pain of loss, You know, for You gave Your Son. He sacrificed His soul, as You promised, and lit Your light in my heart. So, I found comfort, I know, I am not alone, forever I will be by Your side. For You are the eternal light that overcomes the darkness, my hope is in You, in the Light of God! (Uriya)

Topics

• Prayer
• Suffering & Trials
• Parenting
• Children & Family
• Overcoming Obstacles