In the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav that wrecked church buildings, homes, and flooded communities in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Gulf Coast United States,
And now with the forecasts of the potential damage that will come with Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike,
Let us call upon our churches on the Lord’s Day this coming Sunday, September 7 to pray and to respond to this devastation, to bow and unite our hearts, praying for:
-those who lost loved ones
-those who are missing
-those who lost their homes, church buildings, and businesses;
-first responders, rescue workers, relief agencies, church aid workers
-hospitals, doctors, nurses
-all those evacuated or needing to evacuate
We extend our love and prayers to our sisters and brothers of the affected areas, and our solidarity with them for the facing of this hour.
Almighty and gracious God, calm the storms, outside and inside us. Bring the waters down. Extend your lovingkindness, mercy, and compassion upon all, we pray. Thank you for aid workers, first responders, churches, communities, and families who are extending a loving, helping hand to one another. Grant us Your grace that we may respond in love, with kind and determined action, and with fervent prayer: mourning with those who have loss, laboring with those who seek to rebuild, and aiding those who seek to prepare for the next storm. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Neal D. Presa
Neal D. Presa is convenor/chair of the Caribbean and North American Area Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and pastor of Middlesex Church in Middlesex, N. J.
