Noahides are not
commanded to have formal prayers. It should be left
to the individual how, what, and when he will pray.
Prayer is permitted, but not commanded. There are
several types of prayers; requests, recognition of
G-d’s grandeur, thanksgiving to Him for good
things that He has done for a person and strengthening
ones faith, as it is stated in many places in the
book of Psalms. It is advisable to turn toward the
direction of Eretz Yisrael, Jerusalem and the Temple
Mount when praying.
A Siddur for Bnei
No’ach should be established for these who wish
to have guidance in prayer. Below are some suggestions
for formal prayer that might be included in a Bnei
Noah Siddur:
1. Regular prayers might be said everyday
that could include a statement saying, “Know
today, and place it on your heart, that Hashem is
the L-rd in the heavens above and on the earth below
-- there is nothing else.” Also he might
recite the affirmation,”Hear O Israel...”
2. Prayer in time
of emergency or danger: A person who finds himself
in danger should recite an appropriate chapter from
the book of Psalms, for example, chapter 20. If the
emergency is due to illness, chapter 103. If he needs
to strengthen his belief in G-d so as to receive His
help, chapter 121.
3. A Prayer of Thanksgiving:
Psalms, chapter lO7 or chapter 136. In the Standing
Prayer emphasize, “and all the living will
give thanks to You forever, selah.”
4. Special prayers
during holidays: It is worthwhile to pray for world
peace. When saying such a prayer, one might add, “G-d
of the world, give peace to the world, thereby allowing
all living creatures that You created to enjoy all
of your blessings.” On the Sabbath one
could recite from the book of Psalms, chapters 92
and 104.
5. Blessing before
or after the meal: It is worthwhile that after the
main meal of the day (whether at noon or in the evening)
a Noahide should wash his hands if they have become
soiled during the meal (before the meal there is no
command for the Noahide to wash his hands in a ritual
matter as do the Jews. This is specifically a Jewish
practice. It is, however, necessary to wash them for
sanitary purposes.) and utter a blessing of thanksgiving
to Hashem for the good that He has given to him. It
can be something like this: “Blessed are
You, King of the Universe, Who feeds the whole world
with His goodness, pleasantness, grace and mercy.
He gives bread to all flesh and the world is full
of His mercy. Due to his great goodness, we have never
lacked and will never be in need of food forever.
His great Name feeds and gives everyone his livelihood,
does good to everyone, and prepares food for all those
that he has created.” A person can, of
course, change this, especially if some good things
have occurred to him lately. Each person who chooses
to say this prayer should do so individually (as opposed
to having one person say it for all). Clearly, these
prayers are to be directed solely to Hashem, and not
to any intermediary.
6. Repentance: A
Noahide who has sinned against G-d or his fellow man
must repent and be sorry for what he has done. He
must undertake that he will not commit this sin again.
He should make a personal prayer to G-d, requesting
mercy. If he has hurt a fellow person, or if he has
done damage to that person’s property, he must
compensate him, as the people of Nineveh compensated
each other, and he must request that person’s
forgiveness.
