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Holy Week resources and reflections

Prayer in the wake of earthquakes and hurricanes

God of heaven and creation, the earth is yours and all that is in it. We cannot help but recognize the limits of our power in the face of winds that demolish the buildings made with our hands, waters that overwhelm all we have constructed to hold them back, and earthquakes that reduce our high rises to rubble. Even the greatest of our towers and technologies are at the mercy of the storms and we, like the disciples tossed on the waves, tremble in fear and cry out, “Lord, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Lord, still the waves and the wind. Make the tumult of the mountains stop. Help us to hear again your assurance that even if the sea comes loose from its bounds and the land heaves into new forms, your steadfast love and covenant of peace remains unmoved.

God of power and might, knowing that your glory is evident in the expansiveness of space and the closeness of strangers joining hands to help save another, we plead with you to help us see the good and beautiful in the middle of the suffering and pain so that we do not lose hope.

Holy Spirit guide our eyes, move our hearts and empower our hands to help our neighbors no matter where they live. May the tumult of the natural world humble us, remind us that we are fellow inhabitants of this one planet, and motivate us to work together for the good of all.

God of compassion and comfort, be a very present help, refuge and strength for those whose lives have been turned upside down by Harvey and Irma, Jose and Maria, earthquakes, fires and the disasters of our own making. Help those of us who follow your Son, the Servant Savior, to be a very present help, the refuge and strength, for those who most need to be reminded that your promises of mercy, love and presence are unfailingly true ­– in the middle of the night, in the middle of the storm, in the aftermath of the rubble, and always. Amen.

You are welcome to use this prayer in worship. Please do not reprint or repost without permission.

 

 

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