ON THE OCCASION OF A DISASTER

Compassionate God, whose Son Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus:

Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and anguish,

comfort those who mourn,

strengthen those who are weary,

encourage those in despair,

and lead us all to fullness of life;

through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer,

who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  Amen.

Readings

Job 14:7-13 or Jeremiah 31:15-20

Psalm 60 or 130 or 80:1-7 or 23

Romans 8:35-38 or Revelation 21:1-7 or Romans 8:18-25

Luke 6:20-26 or Mark 13:14-27

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), 733

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IN A TIME OF NATURAL DISASTER

O God, you divided the waters of chaos at creation.

In Christ you stilled storms, raised the dead,

and vanquished demonic powers.

Tame the earthquake, wind, and fire,

and all forces that defy control or shock us by their fury.

Keep us from calling disaster your justice.

Help us, in good times and in distress,

to trust your mercy and yield to your power, this day and for ever.

Amen.

–Andy Langford, in The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992), 509

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DURING A NATIONAL CRISIS

God of ages,

in your sight nations rise and fall,

and pass through times of peril.

Now when our land is troubled,

be near to judge and save.

May leaders be led by your wisdom;

may they search your will and see it clearly.

If we have turned from your way,

help us to reverse our ways and repent.

Give us light and your your truth to guide us;

through Jesus Christ,

who is the Lord of this world, and our Savior.  Amen.

—Book of Common Worship (1993), 818

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TIME OF CONFLICT, CRISIS, DISASTER

O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope.

Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance.

Where impossibilities close every door and and window, grant imagination and resistance.

Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination.

Where spirits are daunted and weakened, grand soaring wings and strengthened dreams.

All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 76

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TIME OF CIVIC MOURNING

God our creator, through whose providing care we enjoy all goodness and life,

turn our eyes to your mercy at this time of confusion and loss.

Comfort this nation as we mourn;

shine your light on those whose only companion is darkness;

and teach us so to number our days that we may apply our hearts to your wisdom;

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 77

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https://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-covid-19-prayers/

https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-covid-19-prayers/

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Above:  Beggars, 1868

Image in the Public Domain

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Almighty God, whose prophets taught us righteousness in the care of your poor:

By the guidance of your Holy Spirit,

grant that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight;

through Jesus Christ, our Judge and Redeemer,

who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Isaiah 55:11-56:1

Psalm 2:1-2, 10-12

Acts 14:14-17, 21-23

Mark 4:21-29

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), page 736

Above:  The Flag of Baltimore, Maryland

Image in the Public Domain

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God of compassion, you have reconciled us in Jesus Christ who is our peace:

Enable us to live as Jesus lived,

breaking down walls of hostility and healing enmity.

Give us grace to make peace with those from whom we are divided,

that, forgiven and forgiving, we may ever be one in Christ;

who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns for ever,

one holy and undivided Trinity.  Amen.

Genesis 8:12-17, 20-22

Psalm 51:1-17

Hebrews 4:12-16

Luke 23:32-43

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), page 737

Above:  The Virgin in Prayer, by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato

Image in the Public Domain

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Almighty God, of your saving grace you called Mary of Nazareth

to be the mother of your only begotten Son:

Inspire us by the same grace to follow her example of bearing God to the world.

We pray through Jesus Christ  her Son our Savior.  Amen.

Isaiah 43:9-13, 19a

Psalm 34:1-8

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Luke 1:42-51

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), pages 729-730

Above:  Map of Nepal, 1971

Image Source = Hammond Contemporary Atlas (1971)

Scan by Kenneth Randolph Taylor

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Compassionate God, whose Son Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus:

Draw near to affected people in this time of sorrow and anguish,

comfort those to mourn,

strengthen those who are weary,

encourage those in despair,

and lead them to fullness of life;

through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer,

who lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  Amen.

Job 14:7-13 or Jeremiah 31:15-20

Psalm 60:105 or 130 or 80:1-7 or 23

Romans 8:35-38 or Revelation 21:1-7 or Romans 8:18-25

Luke 6:20-26 or Mark 13:14-27

–Adapted from Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), The Episcopal Church

Above:  The Flag of Vanuatu

Image in the Public Domain

A BBC News Story

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Compassionate God, whose Son wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus:

Draw near to the people of Vanuatu in this time of sorrow and anguish,

comfort those who mourn,

strengthen those who are weary,

encourage those in despair,

and lead them all to fullness of life;

through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer,

who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.

Job 14:7-13 or Jeremiah 31:15-20

Romans 8:35-38 or Revelation 21:1-7 or Romans 8:18-25

Luke 6:20-26 or Mark 13:14-27

–Adapted from Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), page 733

Hurricane Mitch (1998)

Image Source = Wikipedia

From Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), of The Episcopal Church

God of steadfast love, who led your people through the wilderness:  Be with us as we remember [and grieve].  By your grace, lead us in the path of new life, in the company of your saints and angels; through Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world.  Amen.

First Reading Options:

Job 14:7-13

Jeremiah 31:15-20

Psalm Options:

60:1-5

130

80:1-7

23

Second Reading Options:

Romans 8:35-38

Revelation 21:1-7

Romans 8:18-25

Gospel Reading Options:

Luke 6:20-26

Mark 13:14-27

San Francisco, California, After the 1906 Earthquake

Image Source = Wikipedia

From Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), of The Episcopal Church:

Compassionate God, whose Son Jesus wept at the grace of his friend Lazarus:  Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and anguish, comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary, encourage those in despair, and lead us to fullness of life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.  Amen.

First Reading Options:

Job 14:7-13

Jeremiah 31:15-20

Psalm Options:

60:1-5

130

80:1-7

23

Second Reading Options:

Romans 8:35-38

Revelation 21:1-7

Romans 8:18-25

Gospel Reading Options:

Luke 6:20-26

Mark 13:14-27

God of grace and glory, you create and sustain the universe in majesty and beauty:  We thank you for [N. and] all in whom you have planted the desire to know your creation and to explore your work and wisdom.  Lead us, like them, to understand better the wonder and mystery of creation; through Christ you eternal Word, through whom all things were made.  Amen.

Genesis 2:9-20

Psalm 34:8-14

2 Corinthians 13:1-6

John 20:24-27

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), of The Episcopal Church

Earth, as Seen During Apollo 17 (1972)

Image Source = Wikipedia

Bountiful Creator, you open your hand to satisfy the needs of every living creature:  Make us always thankful for our loving providence, and grant that we, remembering the account we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your abundance, for the benefit of the whole creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom all thins were made, and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

1 Kings 4:29-30, 33-34

Psalm 145:1-7, 22

Acts 17:24-31

John 1:1-5, 9-14

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), of The Episcopal Church