Praying for all in the path of Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy, which has already killed at least 21 in Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti and the Caribbean, is threatening to merge with a powerful Nor’easter and take aim at the mid-Atlantic, New York City and northeast US, potentially causing HISTORIC AND DEVASTATING storm surge, inland rainfall, massive power outages, heavy snowfalls in some areas, etc.  I’ve long been a “hurricane buff” and know quite a bit about storm tracking and weather commentary.  I have been surprised and frankly shocked to see how some usually quite “non-sensationalist” forecasters whom I greatly respect are sounding the alarm for this storm.  That tells me this is a VERY dangerous storm.  (One anecdote that evidences this: Yesterday every weather office in the continental US was requested to release extra weather balloons to help forecasters understand the weather patterns that will steer the storm.  Apparently that is an unprecedented event!)  I personally have dozens of friends and some family members in the area where the storm is expected to make landfall, so I am praying with some fervor for the Lord’s mercy upon all in the storm’s path.

You can see projections for rainfall totals here.  Two blog entries which give very helpful details about the threat,  by respected meteorologists, Dr. Jeff Masters and Bryan Norcross, are here and here.  (The map included in Dr. Masters blog about a 100-year rainfall event for a large swath of the mid-Atlantic is sobering.)  For those reading this who are in the storm’s path, please make sure to follow the advice of the National Hurricane Center, your local weather service office, and local emergency officials!

I’ll try to find storm surge predictions and graphics, and will try to post updates with specific risk and prayer information as I am able.  For now, may we humble ourselves, repent and seek God’s face and cry out for His mercy on our land.  – Karen

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Below, I have posted once again, the hurricane prayer litany I found several years ago, and have posted numerous times at Lent & Beyond.  Note that below the full litany, I’ve included a slightly modified version of the section in bold to make it suitable to pray as a stand-alone collect. I am praying that all who face such peril from Hurricane Sandy are finding comfort from the Lord and that He will send out legions of angels to protect all who call on His name today.

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

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A modified version of the final section of the Litany, suitable to be prayed as a stand-alone collect:

God of heaven and earth, God who carries our lives and the lives of [all in Sandy’s path] in your hands, be with all those in peril this day/night. Help them to release their anxieties and fears into your caring hands, knowing in faith that your will for us is life and everlasting good. Send your holy angels to watch over them and guard them. May your angels spread their holy wings to give all in danger 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. Amen.