Our Prayer for Haiti

Our Prayer for Haiti

Kind Father, God and Creator of all things,
we have been stunned once again by an event
which seems so unnatural
and yet is called "natural disaster."

We have no words to answer the "why" which we feel…
No wisdom to explain away
these unexplainable areas of life.

Keep us from attributing this event
to an assumption of Divine judgment or Heavenly reprimand.
Keep our hearts from the hubris or the smugness
that imagines we alone know or understand
what really cannot be understood.

Keep us from spiritual pride
that tempts us to form definitive opinions
and speak assuredly for God when God has not spoken.
We, who are so distant from the scene
of such tragic sorrow,
move us from opinions to true compassion.

Kind Father of this bent and broken world,
Give us hearts filled with kindness and gentleness
to be servants to those in need.
Remind us of your gracious love in the midst of sorrow,
and your ability to work miracles when all hope is faint.

We pray for those who suffer in Haiti even now
and for those who await rescue.
For relatives, for the children,
for mothers and fathers,
sisters and brothers,
grandparents, aunts and cousins.

For the survivors who question
what more they might have done.
And for those who must keep on keeping on,
in spite of it all.

For the leaders,
for those who bring aid
and those who await news…
strengthen and encourage them we pray.

Now unto you, O God,
we take the burdens of this hour
and place them in your divine care.
For all you do and are doing,
seen and unseen,
we give thee thanks,
Eternal God of All Creation,
we wait on you.
Amen