The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in his work Torah Lishmah, addresses an interesting question posed to him by a man who had many debts that he was unable to repay. The man had the idea of inserting in the Beracha of "Shome’a Tefila" in the Amida service a personal prayer for help in repaying his debts. He wanted to pray, "Yehi Rason Milefanecha Hashem Elokenu V’Elokeh Abotenu She’titen Li Ezer Vi’yecholet Li’fro’a Kol Hob She’ani Hayab Li’bneh Adam" ("May it be the will before You, our God and God of our forefathers, that You shall give me help to repay any debt I owe to people"). Similarly, he wanted to add a prayer in the "Ha’rahaman" section of Birkat Ha’mazon, "Ha’rahaman Hu Yiten Li Ezer Vi’yecholet Li’fro’a Kol Hob She’ani Hayab Li’bneh Adam." He asked the Ben Ish Hai if this insertion in the Amida and Birkat Ha’mazon would be appropriate, given the circumstances.
The Ben Ish Hai ruled that this is permissible, adding that in fact, the Beracha of "Shome’a Tefila" was included in the Amida specifically for this purpose – for people to add personal requests. Personal requests may be added in this prayer immediately after the words, "Ki Kel Shome’a Tefila Ve’tahanunim Ata."
However, the Ben Ish Hai took issue with the formulation which the man wanted to use in his prayer. The man had thought to use the Hebrew word "Li’fro’a" to mean "repay." The Ben Ish Hai noted that while this word is indeed used in reference to repaying debts, it also has other meanings. For example, in describing the uncovering of the Sota woman’s hair, the Torah says, "U’fara Et Rosh Ha’isha" ("he [the Kohen] shall uncover the woman’s hair" – Bamidbar 5:18). The term can also mean "stop" or "disturb," as Pharaoh said to Moshe and Aharon, "Tafri’u Et Ha’am Mi’ma’asav" ("you are stopping the people from their work" – Shemot 5:4). The root "P.R.A." can also mean "revenge," as in the verse in the Book of Shofetim (5:2), "Bi’fro’a Pera’ot Be’Yisrael."
Therefore, the Ben Ish Hai instructed that the man use the word "Le’shalem," which has only the meaning of "to pay," rather than the term "Li’fro’a."
The Ben Ish Hai also advised this man – and all people – to conclude personal requests by asking, "Ve’lo Yit’halel Shimcha Bi" ("Your Name shall not be desecrated through me"). This prayer asks God to help ensure that we do not cause His name to be denigrated, Heaven forbid, and appending this prayer to our personal requests is a powerful "Segula" to have our prayers answered.
Summary: During the Beracha of "Shome’a Tefila," one may add any personal requests that he has. It is advisable to conclude one’s personal prayer by praying, "Ve’lo Yit’halel Shimcha Bi" ("Your Name shall not be desecrated through me.") If one prays for God’s assistance in repaying his debts, he should use the word "Le’shalem" ("to pay"), rather than "Li’fro’a."
