A prayer liturgy for those facing hurricanes

[KBBOCA]

All, I posted this on another thread, but on reflection, it deserves its own topic. I am part of an online prayer forum, and this is a lutheran prayer liturgy that has been circulating by e-mail today for those in danger of a hurricane. Perhaps some of you can take time with families and friends to pray for all in Charley's path. "L" stands for leader, "C" for congregation, but obviously these petitions can be prayed privately too!

L: Lord, have mercy.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: Christ, have mercy.
C: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord, have mercy.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: In the face of peril and apprehension, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: In the face of mighty winds, thunderous sounds, strong rains, and surging waves, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: In the face of complete uncertainty, as well as concern for our loved ones, here or elsewhere, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: In the face of our own vulnerable mortality, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For the strength that God alone can give us, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For all that it takes to keep our children calm and safe, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For faith that can move mountains and remove all fear, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For trust in God's loving presence in our midst, even at this very hour, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: For trust that in life and in death, God will not abandon us, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

L: 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,

C: Hear, our prayer.

L: Do not hold our sins against us, but remember us in our faith and love for you; Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear, our prayer.

L: 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,
C: Hear, our prayer.

L: Mighty are your works, O Lord, and mighty is your saving hand. Turn your ear to our petitions and supplications; Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear, our prayer.

L: God of heaven and earth, God who carries our lives and the lives of our whole community in your hands, be with is in the peril of this day/night. Help us to release our anxieties and fears into those same caring hands, knowing in faith that your will for us is life and everlasting good. Send your holy angels to watch over us and guard us. May they spread their holy wings to give us shelter against the storm. For you alone, O God, are all good, all life, all love, and that love is for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C: Amen

[GalvestonDuck]

Here's what the nuns at the St. Mary's Orphanage sang during the 1900 Storm in Galveston:

"Queen of the Waves" - a hymn
Queen of the Waves, look forth across the ocean
From north to south, from east to stormy west,
See how the waters with tumultuous motion
Rise up and foam without a pause or rest.

But fear we not, tho' storm clouds round us gather,
Thou art our Mother and thy little Child
Is the All Merciful, our loving Brother
God of the sea and of the tempest wild.

Help, then sweet Queen, in our exceeding danger,
By thy seven griefs, in pity Lady save;
Think of the Babe that slept within the manger
And help us now, dear Lady of the Wave.

Up to the shrine we look and see the glimmer
Thy votive lamp sheds down on us afar;
Light of our eyes, oh let it ne'er grow dimmer,
Till in the sky we hail the morning star.

Then joyful hearts shall kneel around thine altar
And grateful psalms reecho down the nave;
Never our faith in thy sweet power can falter,
Mother of God, our Lady of the Wave.