THE POWER OF PRAYER
REACHING ACROSS THE MILES: HAITI
Offering your prayer support for the people of Haiti at this time truly is a sacred gift. Our united prayers, grounded in faith, amplify the divine energy surrounding all who are affected, strengthening them to rise above their situation with faith and hope. We affirm that the presence of God is at work in every area of need—providing the people and resources for recovery and rebuilding, uplifting every person. Let us affirm together for each one: Extend right hand out in the direction of Haiti sending prayers, support, strength, and connectedness:
The light of God surrounds you;
The love of God enfolds you;
The power of God protects you;
The presence of God watches over you.
Wherever you are, God is!
Lord, at times such as this, when we realize that the ground beneath our feet is not as solid as we had imagined, we plead for your mercy.As the things we have built crumble about us, we know too well how small we truly are on this ever-changing, ever-moving, fragile planet we call home. Yet you have promised never to forget us.
Do not forget us now.
Today, so many people are afraid. They wait in fear of the next tremor. They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble. They roam the streets in shock at what they see. And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief and the names of missing dead.
Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster. Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still, and shelter them under your wings when homes no longer exist. Embrace in your arms those who died so suddenly this day. Console the hearts of those who mourn, and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death.
Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion, we who watch from afar, as the poorest on this side of the earth find only misery upon misery. Move us to act swiftly this day, to give generously every day, to work for justice always, and to pray unceasingly for those without hope.
And once the shaking has ceased, the images of destruction have stopped filling the news, and our thoughts return to life’s daily rumblings, let us not forget that we are all your children and they, our brothers and sisters. We are all the work of your hands. For though the mountains leave their place and the hills be tossed to the ground, your love shall never leave us, and your promise of peace will never be shaken.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever.
Amen
Copyright 2010, Diana Macalintal Diana is the Director of Liturgy for the Diocese of San Jose, California and a Saint John’s School of Theology Seminary Alum. Permission is given to reprint for non-commercial use.
Lorraine Latraille had been doing the works of Mercy and attending retreats at Mercy Center in Auburn for 15 years, but she felt a real calling to be an associate four years ago. She’s been in parish ministry for 30 years, most recently as chair of the Immigration Support Network from St. Paul’s Parish. But one of her consistent ministries has been using her washing machine. She does laundry for a clothes closet in Elk Grove, making sure that everything that is given away is clean and fresh. Recently, she was on her way to Sacramento’s Quinn Cottages in the rain, bringing basics like can openers and wash clothes for people moving in. She noticed that a group of homeless people were huddled on a street corner. She stopped the car “in the middle of the road” according to another startled associate riding with her. Lorraine asked, “Does anyone need a blanket?” The laundered blankets she pulled out of her trunk were quickly snapped up. “I want to see if the associates can get into a blanket ministry,” she said.