A Prayer for Hope in the Wake of Disaster

O gracious God, who created this earth
who brought order out of chaos
who designed land and water
earth and sky and all creatures
be merciful in your grace once again
restoring order through the calamity
of the earthquake and tsunami that struck
disaster and took lives in Japan.

O gracious God, fill the hearts of those
who are unable to find their way home
who have lost food and house, family and friends,
fill their hearts with peace, despite all evidence
to the contrary. Fill broken spirits with grace through
the kindness of strangers, the love offerings of hand
and heart, through which you, O God, take action.

O gracious God, enable the people of the world
to take action, to find the lost, tend to the injured,
mourn the dead,. Help families and friends, neighbors
and co-workers as the shock wears off, help them
to find the help they need for food, water, housing, and
comfort. Help us know how to respond, effectively.

O gracious God, protect the people of Japan from
greater harm from radiation leaks and other post-earthquake
disasters. Still the troubled waters and shaking land and
trembling bodies. Still the traumatized spirits of human beings
and surround them with gentleness and kindness, provide for
their needs, help us, who live outside Japan, know how to help
those who live in Japan, that we can be the face of Christ, the
love of God poured out, in a time of brokenness and fear.