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Prayer seems the natural and appropriate place to take our concern, anxiety, worry, hope, and love. Here’s one to try on. As you say it, imagine your voice as one that’s been joined within the chorus of a great congregation…
Loving and gracious God: nature and all that you have created
are truly awesome.
Often, we take these wonders for granted.
Teach us to cherish all of your gifts.
Try as we might, we know that we cannot control the oceans,
the mountains, the weather.
We also know that you do not send floods, make the earth shake,
or dispatch hurricanes, as warnings or punishments.
So we ask, as another fierce tempest approaches
that you shelter all in its path.
And for everyone who has experienced devastating heartache and loss
in water, wind, and shattered land—shield them with your grace.
Watch over everyone, their loved ones, and friends,
many of whom have been displaced.
Guard them as they prepare, perhaps to leave their homes again.
Give them strength, courage, and resolve to ride out the coming storm
and in the aftermath of rescue and rebuild.
Answer their prayers and ours that they be blessed
with goodness and be spared from harm.
Blessed are you, Source of Life and Nature, whose awesome power
and strength fills our world and inspire us to be strong
in the face of all of life’s difficulties.
And now, in our compassion, help us stand with all in harm’s way.
In our solidarity and in our sharing, help us stand with them.
In our advocacy and in our prayer, help us stand with them.
And as we turn to them in their peril, we ask your grace go with us:
To feed the hungry:
-give us your grace.
To give drink to the thirsty:
-give us your grace.
To clothe the naked:
-give us your grace.
To shelter the homeless:
-give us your grace.
To care for the sick:
-give us your grace.
To reach the trapped and the stranded:
-give us your grace.
To mourn the dead:
-give us your grace.
And in reaching out, may we find you in them.
And may they find you in us.
All this we ask in the name of the one who gave all for the sake of the world.
Amen.
–adapted from Rabbi Fred Guttman & Catholic Relief Services
Rev. Dr. Stephen P. Bauman is the Senior Minister at Christ Church.