Switched to Evening Prayer for today, using the Mission St Clare app. As Hurricane Michael bears down on us, the opening Versicle and Response certainly struck home:
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
My prayers are with all in the path of this storm. Be safe y’all and keep praying!
In the St. Simon’s Cycle of Prayer: Monday –Pray for clergy, staff, vestry, and wardens. Pray for our parish to exhibit Christ’s love to all, to strive to know Christ and make him known.
Of course the storm may impact my ability to post for a bit. Keep on with the offices and please post comments. Below is a prayer offered in these circumstances, you may want to include it in your own prayers these next days.
Prayers during a Hurricane
At this time of apprehension in the face of the unknown, let us bring our prayers to God, our strength and our redeemer.
In the face of peril and apprehension, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy
In the face of mighty winds, thunderous sounds, strong rains, and surging waves, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy
In the face of complete uncertainty, as well as concern for our loved ones, here or elsewhere, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy
For the strength that God alone can give us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy
For all that it takes to keep our children calm and safe, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy
For faith that can move mountains and remove all fear, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy
For trust in God’s loving presence in our midst, even at this very hour, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy
For trust that in life and in death, God will not abandon us, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy
Almighty God, we poor creatures place our lives into your hands that you might protect and guide us according to your will;
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear, our prayer.
Be our light in the darkness, our hope in the storm, our peace in the chaos, our trust in the unknown;
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear, our prayer.
Mighty are your works, O Lord, and mighty is your saving hand. Turn your ear to our petitions and supplications; Lord, in your mercy,
Hear, our prayer.
God has spoken his holy word of blessing and promise. God will indeed watch over and guide those for whom we pray. Amen.
(adapted from a variety of sources)
Well, it has taken me nearly three hours (let’s call it “weather delays”), but I finally completed morning prayer.
Thank you for sharing the prayer above! I will refer to it several more times today.
I hope you and Jennifer are safe throughout this ordeal.
Fr. David, it is hard to believe that you are once again in the eye of the storm. May God bless you and your congregation and keep you safe.
Gail Wright