Tag Archives: first responders

July 9, 2025 · 2:08 pm

A prayer in a time of floods

We thank you, God,
for individuals and organizations
that respond to disasters.

Particularly we thank you for
those involved in response and rescue
after the flooding in the Hill Country of Texas
and in central North Carolina
and in southern New Mexico.

We are grateful for each person who is at work.
And we are especially grateful for
firefighters from Mexico who have come help in Texas.

Remind us that, in times of crisis, times of ease, and all times
we are all your beloved children called to love one another.

Protect all the rescuers and responders in Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina
and places that do not make the news.
Strengthen them in every way for this challenging work.
Guide and bless their efforts.
Keep them safe.
We pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has designated an account for contributions to support their efforts in response to this and other floods in the United States.

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May 17, 2025 · 8:00 pm

A prayer when prayer seems utterly inadequate

Faced with the fury of

storm and tornado,

our words seem inadequate –

like ash in our throats

as our hearts ache,

Stil, we pray, O God,

Again, we pray, O God.

Acknowledging

the poverty of our words

the depth of our dread,

the strength of our concern

and the power of your love binding us together,

we pray

for people and places who have

endured storms and tornado.

Particularly we pray for

Kentucky and its people and

Missouri and its people,

the places where death and devastation

are reportedly the highest.

We pray as well,

for places and people

affected by this storm system

whose stories did not make the news cylee,

yet who stand in need.

Make your presence and care

known all buffeted by storms and blasted by tornadoes

Comfort all who grieve

the death of family, loved ones, or friends.

Comfort all who mourn

the death of dreams,

the loss of pets,

the destruction of property.

Work healing

in all who are injured in any way.

Ease anxieties.

Calm fears.

Provide strength to cope

and courage to hope.

Protect and guide first responders

and medical personnel.

Support efforts to recover and rebuild.

Inspire responses to provide appropriate aid.

We pray in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

This one came out in response to the recent storms and tornadoes. In many situations and circumstances, our prayers seem inadequate. Yet still we pray …

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January 25, 2015 · 10:24 pm

I wait; I remember

This place,
this place of waiting,
looks familiar.
I have been here before.
I have waited
for storms,
some arrived,
some passed by.

Now I find myself
in this place where
I have been before.
Waiting
for the predicted storm
the epic storm
the record-setting storm.

News reports raise anxiety
in the city,
in the region,
and in me.

As I read,
as I listen,
I remember
that the place where I wait
is warm and snug,
safe, secure.

I remember
sisters and brothers
who will find themselves outside
in whatever storms may come,
who have
no safe place to wait;
no warm place to hunker;
no secure place to ride out the storm’s fury.

I remember
sisters and brothers
who find themselves outside
in whatever storms may come
because they face a choice
between going to work
and losing a job.

I remember
sisters and brothers
who will find themselves outside
in whatever storms may come
as they seek to protect the people
and make passable the streets
and keep the city moving.

I wait and
I remember.

The Shire, Manhattan, New York
25 January 2015
Winter Storm Juno is predicted for 26-27 January.

.

 

 

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October 29, 2012 · 11:37 pm

Tears and smiles

From the comfort of my home,
I watch NYU Hospital being evacuated –
patients, sometimes children,
carried down the stairs
(for the elevators do not work),
riding on gurneys,
accompanied by medical personnel,
emerge from the building
where EMTs meet them –
shield them from the wind and wet –
hustle them to the first ambulance
in the queue, its lights flashing.
As the patient gets on board,
the ambulance leaves
and another takes its place.

Tears run down my cheeks
toward a broad smile.

29 October 2012
Shire on the Hudson

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October 29, 2012 · 1:01 pm

1:00 PM EST, 29 October 2012

I wait.
I watch.
I see the pictures.

Flooding streets.
Pounding surf.
Fallen trees.

It has only begun,
my imagination runs.

My heart breaks.
My spirit grieves.
For sisters and brothers
already battered by the storm,
lives lost, homes gone.

My heart wrenches.
My spirit aches.
For sisters and brothers
who have no shelter
from the storm.

My heart leaps.
My spirit soars.
For sisters and brothers
who go into the storm
responding to human needs.

I watch.
I wait.

29 October 2012
Shire on the Hudson

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