Litany for Katrina

Almighty and gracious God, we come to You with our hearts full of prayers both spoken and those that cannot be put into words. As the ancient psalmist wrote You are our refuge and strength, the light in the darkness, and so with confidence we offer our prayers to You for those States striken by violent powerful winds, rain and terrifying, destructive ocean surges. Gather us under Your wings, calm our fears and keep our faith strong.

Lord hear our prayers.

At a time like this we stand in awe of the power of nature - the wind and the sea - with its terrible capacity to destroy as well as to save and we are reminded of our vulnerability as human creatures who inhabit this vast earth. We bring to You in prayer our questions, our humility and also our trust in this hour of need.

Lord hear our prayers.

We pray for those who grieve the loss of family, friends and neighbours, for those who are injured, those separated and searching for family, for those who have been traumatized.
we ask for Your continued healing presence in their lives and we commend to Your care all those who have died.

Lord hear our prayers.

We give to Your loving care all those who are involved in rescuing people and those caring for the injured in hospitals and clinics. Be with all the churches and people as they minister in Your name to the people. Sustain them through this time of tremendous loss and stress.

Lord hear our prayers.

We commend to Your care those are working in debris removal and cleaning up. We especially pray for those burdened by unimaginable losses and who have found themselves like refugees in their own country. May shelter and clean water and food and medicines and comfort be supplied as quickly as possible.

Lord hear our prayers

We pray for those - especially the poor, who live along the coast and whose livelihoods have been lost or impacted by this disaster and ask that You would raise them up and bless them. We pray for those whose workplaces have become unsafe and who face an uncertain future and ask that they may find the assistance they need

Lord hear our prayers.

We pray for communities that have been devastated that they may live and learn and support one another and have joy in their lives once again. May this disaster bring people together to rebuild their cities, and to fill their lives with justice, their plates with food and their streets with music,. Bring them peace and healing from all evil.

Lord hear our prayers.

We pray for those traveling, who feel homesick and far away from loved ones and their homes at this time; those who are trying to get in contact with family and who are worried and frustrated and who long to embrace their families. Comfort families across the distance.

Lord hear our prayers.

We give thanks to God for the blessings in our lives, especially the gifts we so often take for granted until they are in danger of being taken away from us - the gift of family, friends, a home, our possessions. Most of all we praise God for the gift of life itself.

Lord hear our prayers.

We also pray for all people of the human family all around the world affected by other natural disasters. O God, Great Shepherd of the sheep, gather us all in Your arms and lead us safely within the one fold of Your love.

Lord hear us, Lord hear our prayer

Comments

[Jules]

Beautiful! I forgot to say a prayer for those affected by Katrina last night and now I feel so much better.

[radioreb]

Amen. I think I'll print this out and pray it a bit.

[SmallGlipses]

This evening I am home by myself and wanted so much to pray with another for those impacted by Katrina. My heart and spirit are so heavy.

Thank you for writing these prayers. Interweaving the response "Lord hear our prayers" is so poignant. It brings back memories of my childhood years in the Episcopal church. Prayers of the People are powerful indeed.

Tonight I read these prayers aloud knowing that I'm praying with others across the miles.

[Monk-in-Training]

Just so everyone is clear, I did not 'write' these prayers, I adapted them from a Uniting Church service (Australia) that itself was modified by the Rev. Laurel Barr.

Nonetheless they are heartfelt.

[ben]

Thanks Br,
I will use this in my faith community.

[Steve]

Awesome.

[aaron]

thanks for this! we are going to use it for a prayer and action gathering for Vineyard Central this week.

[Patsy]

Thank you for your prayer....will use it, I promise