Here’s
a prayer of thanksgiving from Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, inspired by the recent devastation in
the Philippines and the tornadoes in the United States. It’s is based on Psalm 46, Colossians 1 and 1
Corinthians 12.
Prayer after Devastation
(inspired by Psalm 46,
Colossians 1, and 1 Corinthians 12)
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
We give thanks for God's
presence,
the Sovereign who dwells with us
in humility,
accepting our pain and our
weakness in love.
So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come,
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
We give thanks for God's
promises,
that allow us to let go of the
fears and anxiety that keep us paralyzed,
that give the darkness such power
over us.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
We give thanks that we can grieve
the losses,
we can mourn the destruction,
but they shall not consume
us.
God is with us, in grief as in
love,
and our hearts shall be open to
grace.
The Lord Almighty is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
We
give thanks that the Body of Christ is present:
the
hands of God offering comfort,
the
eyes of God weeping with us,
the
feet of God walking alongside us,
the
strength of God helping us to rebuild.
The
Lord Almighty is here among us:
we
are the Body of Christ.
Thanks
be to God!
~ written by Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, Pastor at First Church Congregational, Rochester,
NH. She blogs at http://sermonizing.wordpress.com/
