Praying for Japan

God is our refuge and our strength,
a very present help in trouble. 
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Psalm 46:1-3

Many congregations will again be offering prayer for Japan when they gather together this weekend. If you’re looking for resources, here are a few suggestions:

The Mennonite Central Committee offers this “Prayer for the People of Japan” on its website:

God of healing and mercy,
we come before you with our hearts filled with grief
as we see the devastation in Japan.

We pray that your presence would be felt
by those who are grieving,
who are injured,
who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

We pray for wisdom and safety
for those who are responding to the people in need.
We pray for wisdom and safety
for those who continue to deal with the many challenges
left by the earthquake and tsunami,
particularly those struggling to contain damaged nuclear reactors.

We pray for the church in Japan,
that it can be a light in the darkness,
a witness to your compassion and care for all who suffer.

God, you are our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in times of trouble.
For this we give you thanks
and ask that you hear our prayers for the people of Japan.
Amen

On the same page is a responsive prayer of intercession ("Responsive Reading") which also includes many of the other difficult situations in our world at present. 

If you're looking for other resources for intercessory prayer this weekend, perhaps something here is helpful: 

You can access a number of “Prayers for Japan Earthquakes and Pacific Tsunami” on the website of the The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Click on the PDF link on the right hand side of the page. 

The Text this Week has compiled a wide variety of “Worship and Prayer Resources following a natural disaster.”

“Prayer following earthquake off Japan,” is available from the Church of England.

EngageWorship.org is offering a “Prayer for those in Japan and Pacific earthquake and tsunami”


Teresa Berger has written a “Litany for Japan” at Pray Tell blog.

Prayer for Japan earthquake and tsunami victims is available at Turn Back to God (scroll down to the entry from March 12).

United Methodist Worship is offering a “New Prayer Hymn in face of Japan/Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami” written by Safiyah Fosua.


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