January 2005

Tsunami Prayers

PRAYER FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE TSUNAMI
[Adapted from Resources from many sources]
On the morning after Christmas, an earthquake triggered huge waves, tsunamis, that engulfed islands, flooded lands all around the Indian Ocean and drowned untold thousands of people..
What can we say at a time, when thousands upon thousands, ten thousands upon ten thousands are missing their bodies never to be retrieved?

Loving God, We stop to remember the thousands of men women and children who perished this week. With their friends and families we remember that you gave them life and loved them. Lord, have mercy upon this earth and all who mourn on this day.

Prayer for the family members who survived
We pray for all who survived, those who lost loved ones and face keeping on living in the midst of death, and keeping on loving in the midst of loss.
We pray for those who wait and do not know whether their family is alive or dead.
We have faith that no child of God is unknown and that no child of God is alone, therefore we pray for those who survive, children without parents, parents without children, spouses missing, loved ones lost, families torn apart.

Loving God, We pause to remember the untold thousands of family members who grieve. With their friends and families we affirm that you gave them life and loved them. You know each person by name.
Lord, have mercy upon all who mourn on this day ? in Asia and around the world.

Prayer for those of us who are able to help ? individuals, churches, cities, and nations.
We pray for ourselves and all those with power to help
those individuals, churches, cities and nations entrusted with the resources needed to relieve suffering, sustain life and rebuild the property that has been destroyed.

Loving God, We remember that we are stewards of the resources you have entrusted to us. We are people who belong to families, churches, cities and nations like those who perished.
May the leaders of the nations place energy where life is sustained and renewed rather than in weapons and acts of aggression.
Empower our acts of compassion and justice, that suffering might be relieved, villages rebuilt, and lives restored.

Strengthen our faith and renew our hope
in the name of Jesus, Amen
We used Shirley Murray's Songs "child of Christmas Story" and "Come now Lod Jesus" from Alleluia Aotearoa during the service.



Rev. Margaret Anne Low