Prayers For Texas
I sat down to draft my weekly “Sunday Hymn” post and felt that it would be more appropriate and meaningful if I instead shared some simple prayers and scripture that we can all reflect on as we think about the heartache felt around the world, and specifically in our own country - namely, Texas.
The devastating flash floods that hit Central Texas over the weekend have been overwhelming to think about, never mind live through. Whole homes swept away in a matter of moments, entire families missing. Upward of 20 little girls are still missing - it’s hard to conceive. In moments like this, I struggle to find words, and that is when I am profoundly grateful for the liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer, which provides me with prayers when my abilities disappoint.
Join me in praying for peace and comfort. For the Lord’s goodness and His truth to shine light into the darkest of places and during the most painful of times.
In Time of Calamity.
O GOD, merciful and compassionate, who art ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously hearken to us who call upon thee, and grant us thy help in this our need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Person under Affliction.
O MERCIFUL God, and heavenly Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men; Look with pity, we beseech thee, upon the sorrows of thy servant for whom our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy; endue his soul with patience; comfort him with a sense of thy goodness; lift up thy countenance upon him, and give him peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Upon The Death of a Child.
O MERCIFUL Father, whose face the angels of thy little ones do always behold in heaven; Grant us stedfastly to believe that this thy child hath been taken into the safe keeping of thine eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and merciful Father, who dost grant to children an abundant entrance into thy kingdom; Grant us grace so to conform our lives to their innocency and perfect faith, that at length, united with them, we may stand in thy presence in fulness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm cxxi.
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; from whence cometh my help?
My help cometh even from the Lord, who hath made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD himself is thy keeper; the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand;
So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, neither the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil; yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, from this time forth for evermore.”
Thank you, Rachel for the words of prayer. I join you in lifting up encouragement to these families who have lost their loved ones.