prayer-for-long-life
This beautiful prayer for long life is based on a prayer written by Rabbi Nathan of Nemirov, the devoted student of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, in his masterwork Likutei Tefilot. It has been adapted for universal use, making it appropriate for anyone to recite at any time. The prayer connects longevity with living a life of kindness and generosity, following in the path of Abraham, our forefather.
Master of the world, have mercy upon me for the sake of Your name, and help me and save me that I may merit to lengthen my days and that You may grant me to grasp the attribute of our father Abraham, the man of kindness, that I may merit to be generous with my possessions, and to do good and true kindness with all who need kindness done for them and to bestow upon them kindness according to Your truly good will. And save me from strictness and stinginess which greatly confuse the mind and intellect. And may I not be strict or stingy at all, but rather may I merit to be a good man, a man of kindness and generous with my possessions according to Your good will, until I merit to be included in the attribute of our father Abraham, the man of kindness. And may I merit to lengthen my days.
Full of mercy, have mercy upon me, and do not deal with me according to my sins, and do not repay me according to my iniquities. Rather deal with me according to Your kindness and Your wonders which You increase to do good, and bestow upon me good kindnesses. And magnify Your kindness upon me at all times and each and every day. And save me in Your mercy with new and wondrous kindnesses in such a way that I too may merit the hidden good that is in each day. And may the power of my evil not have strength to intervene and interrupt, Heaven forbid, before the hidden good that is in each day, but rather give me strength and encouragement and determination in my heart and thoughts, that I may merit to strengthen myself each and every day to think thoughts with great overcoming with all might and power, and with intense yearning for the true good in truth. And I will not allow any foreign and external thought or any confusion of mind to enter my thoughts and confuse me, Heaven forbid. And through this may I merit length of days and years in truth, to live a long life, a good life, a true life in holiness and great purity. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, Adonai, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.
Common Questions
This prayer can be recited at any time of day and is particularly meaningful when said daily as part of one's personal prayer routine. Many find it especially powerful when recited during times of reflection or when seeking spiritual strengthening.
The prayer teaches that emulating Abraham's attribute of chesed (loving-kindness) and being generous rather than stingy leads to length of days. This reflects the Jewish belief that moral character and treatment of others directly impacts our spiritual and physical well-being.
Absolutely. The prayer is not only about physical longevity but about living a meaningful, good life filled with holiness and purity. It's appropriate for people of all ages who wish to deepen their spiritual practice and strengthen their commitment to kindness and generosity.