Chacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Halichot Olam (vol. 8, p. 52), writes that when a person makes a pledge to charity during a time of crisis, as is customarily done, he should declare three times, "Elaha De'Meir Aneni" ("God of Meir answer me!"), invoking the merit of the great sage Rabbi Meir. Rabbi Meir is known as "Rabbi Meir Ba'al Ha'ness" ("Rabbi Meir, Person of Miracles") because miracles can occur to those who mention his name to invoke his merit. The Talmud tells, for example, of an instance where Rabbi Meir informed a certain jail steward that should he find himself in danger, he should declare "Elaha De'Meir Aneni" and in this merit he will be saved. Indeed, the steward saved his life by making this declaration during a situation of danger. Rabbi Meir's merit thus has the capacity to protect a person facing any sort of crisis or trouble.
Chacham Ovadia rules and this position is also cited in the name of Rabbi Chayim Palachi (Turkey, 19th century) that when making this declaration one should refer to God as "Elaha De'Meir," rather than "Elaha De'Rabbi Meir." Additionally, one should think during this recitation that he has all the intentions that Rabbi Meir had when he made this declaration.
Some people have the practice during times of crisis to light a candle in memory of Rabbi Meir's soul, or to donate charity to the Yeshiva in Teverya, near Rabbi Meir's grave in the name of Rabbi Meir Ba'al Ha'ness. The Ben Ish Chai (Rabbi Yosef Chayim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) records this practice in the name of Rabbi Menachem Azarya of Pano, and these are all worthwhile practices to follow in situations of crisis.
