I first posted this in 2012, but it is always relevant. Before the founding of the state of Israel, Jews said a prayer for the nation in which they lived (usually after the haftorah reading~this varies). In 1948 the Chief Rabbinate of Israel published the Prayer for the State of Israel, which has since been used by most (but not all) communities.
The video (see below) of this beautiful prayer was made (in June 2011), by a member of the Israel Defense Forces. Accompanied by child soloist Micha Schachat, the S.F.Y. Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir conducted by Dr. Mordechai Sobol, IDF Chief Cantor, Lt. Col. Shai Abramson recorded The Prayer for the State of Israel at Eshel Studios in Tel Aviv.
Watching this video still brings tears to my eyes. I love my country Israel, and the members of the Israel Defense Forces who face daily danger, even as they are consistently vilified in the world press. Our IDF is so much more than tough, brave fighters, ready to defend us with their lives. They are vibrant, talented people with a love for Eretz Yisroel, and a soul from Hashem. I pray daily for the safety of the IDF and for peace on Israel.
Watching this video still brings tears to my eyes. I love my country Israel, and the members of the Israel Defense Forces who face daily danger, even as they are consistently vilified in the world press. Our IDF is so much more than tough, brave fighters, ready to defend us with their lives. They are vibrant, talented people with a love for Eretz Yisroel, and a soul from Hashem. I pray daily for the safety of the IDF and for peace on Israel.
Here is an English translation of the Chief Rabbinate's traditional (1948) version:
Our Father in heaven, Protector and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the dawn of our deliverance. Shield it beneath the wings of Your love; spread over it Your canopy of peace; send Your light and Your truth to its leaders, officers, and counselors, and direct them with Your good counsel.
Strengthen the defenders of our Holy Land; grant them, our God, salvation and crown them with victory. Establish peace in the land, and everlasting joy for its inhabitants. Remember our brethren, the whole house of Israel, in all the lands of their dispersion. Speedily bring them to Zion, Your city, to Jerusalem Your dwelling-place, as it is written in the Torah of Your servant Moses: 
“Even if you are dispersed in the uttermost parts of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather and fetch you. The Lord your God will bring you into the land which your ancestors possessed, and you shall possess it; and God will make you more prosperous and more numerous than your ancestors.”
Unite our hearts to love and revere Your name, and to observe all the precepts of Your Torah. Speedily send us Your righteous Messiah of the House of David, to redeem those waiting for Your salvation. Shine forth in Your glorious majesty over all the inhabitants of Your world. Let everything that breathes proclaim: “The Lord God of Israel is King; His majesty rules over all”...Amen...Selah.
* Hat Tip for original post to Shiloh Musings Blog
