Question
How can I pray for myself? I have chronic shingles for 6 years now and am in my 20s, struggling regarding all parts of my life. I just started getting into doing teshuva. How can I pray? What do I say in tehilim to heal and have my health back and find a soulmate, and just feel better emotionally? I have all sort of weird things going on with my health. I’ll do anything. Can I speak to the rav over the phone? Thank you so so much. It would mean the world to me to heal and get my health back.
Answer
Shalom- I’m truly sorry to hear about your problems! The 3 things we do in order to try and improve one's situation are:
1. Tshuva (improving mitzvot between you and other people (ethically, like speaking truth and good, not bad, about others) and between you and God, like eating kosher, Shabbat, etc.), to strengthen your loving relationship with God and His People.
2. Tzedaka (give charity, just as you wish God to give you charity and help), and
3. Tfila (prayer from the depths of your heart- simply speak to God as your loving Father, and if you wish, also say the following chapters of Psalms/Tehillim, at least one a day : chapters 20, 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 49, 55,56,69, 86, 88, 89, 90, 91, 102, 103, 104, 107, 116, 118, 142, 143, and 128). In short, to strengthen your personal Godliness, as well as your personal relationship with Him.
I also strongly suggest you contact your local orthodox rabbi and arrange to meet with him personally, so maybe he can help teach you about different mitzvot or possible local volunteer work and Shabbat religious services, to get you more involved in the Jewish community, and maybe also meet a nice Jewish soulmate, to build a home of companionship and mutual strengthening.
Wishing you the best of health, building a home of happiness, and everything good which your heart desires!
Rav Ari Shvat
