Prayer in the midst of Hurricane Harvey

Call to prayer as Hurricane Harvey passes by

by Rev. Laurie Ann Kraus | Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

God of our life, whose presence sustains us in every circumstance,

in storm and distress, we welcome the restoring power of your love and compassion. We open our hearts in sorrow, gratitude and hope: that those who have been spared nature’s fury as well as those whose lives are changed forever by ravages of wind and water may find solace, sustenance and strength in the days  of recovery and rebuilding that come.

We are thankful for the generous grace of days of preparation; for the wise counsel of experts and the generous collaboration of so many communities, that in the face of the storm kept many out of harm’s way, and lessened the effects of wind and water on others.  We pray for those yet in harm’s way; who wait in neighborhoods  while the waters rise, who pray for the rains to cease.  We pray for those huddled at home or among strangers while wind ravages, for those who have fled from home and wait and wonder.  We ask for sustaining courage, for the kindness of strangers, for hope that does not disappoint.

We open ourselves to listen with compassion to the stories of those whom Hurricane Harvey has not spared: communities deeply affected, whose livelihood, homes and stability have been destroyed.  We pray in grief, honoring the lives shattered and the livelihoods, homes and businesses for whom recovery seems an insurmountable mountain.  We lift our voices in sorrow and compassion for families who have lost loved ones, homes or livelihood.

We ask for sustaining courage for those who are suffering; wisdom and diligence among agencies and individuals assessing damage and directing relief efforts; and for generosity to flow as powerfully as rivers and streams, as we, your people, respond to the deep human needs beginning to emerge in the wake of the storm.

In these days of relief, assessment and response, open our eyes, our hearts, and our hands to the needs of your children and the movements of your Spirit, who flows in us like the river whose streams makes glad the city of God, and the hearts of all who dwell in it, and in You.

In the name of Christ the Healer we pray,  Amen.

PDA has been in touch with the presbyteries in the path of Hurricane Harvey to offer assistance. We are standing by with resources and National Response Team members ready to deploy upon invitation and when it is safe to do so.

For those who wish to support PDA’s emergency response and recovery efforts, gifts can be designated to DR000169-Harvey. Information on how to give can be found here.

Laurie Ann Kraus is the associate mission director of Compassion, Peace and Justice and director of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.