(Waldo Canyon fire, Colorado, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
I wrote this for a friend, who is a Colorado native, and has been fretting greatly about the destruction of her home state to wildfires. I pray that it is a blessing to her and to others affected by the fires.
A Litany of Hope in a
time of destruction by wildfires
By Maria L. Evans
Creator God, Author of the Universe;
as the deer long for cooling streams,
as weary people long for shelter in skeletal, burned places,
gather your creatures and your children safely into your
loving arms.
(silence)
In your mercy, Lord,
Hear our prayer.
Ever-present God of the wind and sky,
God who holds the oceans in the palm of Your holy hand,
God who has dominion of thunder and rain,
Assuage the thirst of a scorched land and a parched people.
(silence)
In your mercy, Lord,
Hear our prayer.
Sheltering God of maternal eagle’s wings and home-seeking
sparrows,
Comfort your people.
Brace the aching legs of weary firefighters and volunteers
and ease the pain of the hearts of those displaced.
(silence)
In your mercy, Lord,
Hear our prayer.
Resurrecting God of of the Valley of Dry Bones and the
Easter miracle,
Forgive, restore, and renew your people.
Remind us that, just as the lodgepole pine requires fire and
death for rebirth,
that your people can also find hope in the acrid smoke of
tragedy.
Call to the hearts of those unaffected by wildfires
to put their hands toward the cloud of smoke and pillars of
fire
and grasp the hands of those who flee in fear.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ,
who conquered the burnt wasteland of sin and death,
refreshing us with the living waters of the peace that
passes all understanding.
Amen
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