Posts Tagged ‘tornado’

 

Memorial Prayer for First Responders

Posted on: July 1st, 2013 by tobendlight

fire_smallThis is a memorial prayer for first responders, posted today for the fire fighters who lost their lives battling the Yarnell Hill fire. It’s group prayer for those who have lost their lives responding to specific emergencies. It’s modified from “Yizkor for First Responders,” a prayer for individual first responders that I first posted as part of “A Liturgy for 9-11.” I previously posted a specific version of this prayer for 9/11 first responders. For those of you with family and friends who serve in this capacity, here’s a prayer “For First Responders” as they head off into service to others.

Memorial Prayer for First Responders
G-d of the selfless,
G-d of the strong and the brave,
Grant a perfect rest among the souls of the righteous
To those who died in service to others during the
_________________________________________________ [ add name of event such as: the 9/11 attacks, the Mount Carmel fire, the Yarnell fire, etc.].
May their dedication to protecting life serve as a shining lamp of love
And the works of their hands bring us all merit in heaven.
Bless the souls of all who have died to save others,
Civilians and professionals,
The trained and the untrained,
In every age and in every land,
Men and women who answered the call of honor, duty and service.
May their memories be sanctified with joy and love.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.

© 2011 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: Here’s a link to “A Liturgy for 9-11” and a prayer “For First Responders” as they head off into service to others.

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Photo Source: NOAA

For First Responders (Revised)

Posted on: October 30th, 2012 by tobendlight

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, ambulances and first responders lined up waiting at NYU Medical Center. This is a prayer for first responders as they head into a moment of crisis or destruction. It asks for the physical and emotional safety of these brave professionals and volunteers in the face of the dangers ahead. This new version includes an addition in [brackets] for use by families of first responders, as well as slight modifications in the rhythm.

For First Responders (Revised)
Crisis and chaos,
Confusion and loss,
A scene of sweeping destruction,
The first responders arrive
Among the breathless and dazed,
The incapacitated, the dead,
The weary, the lost, the injured,
The frenzied, driven wild with fear and grief,
And survivors forcing themselves
Beyond their limits
To fight devastation.

Holy One,
[Watch over my father/mother/husband/wife/partner/spouse/son/daughter/brother/sister
As he/she serves our community/country
With dignity and honor.]
Bless our nation’s first responders with endurance
To be of maximum service in this moment of immeasurable need.
Bless their limbs with strength,
Their eyes with courage,
Their hands with gentleness,
So that they become a source of hope and love.
Give them the tools they need in the days and hours ahead.
Protect them from physical harm,
Shield them from emotional pain,
And guard them from taking this trauma into themselves.

G-d of justice and mercy,
May the deeds of the first responders
Find favor in Heaven
And bring healing on earth.

© 2012 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: See also “Yizkor for First Responders” and “Memorial Prayer for 9/11 First Responders.” This prayer is a generalized version of a previous piece called “For First Responders to the Earthquake in Haiti.” Written at the request of the Columbia County Fire Department Auxiliary, Lake City, Fla., for use in their fundraiser cookbook. It was first posted on April 17, 2012.

For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. Connect with To Bend Light on Facebook and on Twitter.

Photo Source: NYU Photo/Twitter via London Evening Standard

For First Responders

Posted on: April 17th, 2012 by tobendlight

This is a prayer for first responders as they head into a moment of crisis. It asks for the physical and emotional safety of these brave professionals and volunteers in the face of the dangers ahead.

Addendum, Oct. 30, 2012: See also “For First Responders (Revised).” This new version includes an optional paragraph for families of first responders, as well as slight modifications in the rhythm.

For First Responders
Crisis and chaos,
Confusion and loss,
A scene of sweeping destruction,
The first responders arrive
Among the breathless and dazed,
The frenzied, driven wild with fear and grief,
The incapacitated, the dead,
The weary, the lost, the injured,
And survivors forcing themselves
Beyond their limits
To fight devastation.

G-d whose ways are secret,
Bless these first responders with endurance
To be of maximum service in this moment of immeasurable need.
Bless their limbs with strength,
Their eyes with courage,
Their hands with gentleness,
So that they become a source of hope and love.
Give them the tools they need in the days and hours ahead.
Protect them from physical harm,
Shield them from emotional pain,
And guard them from taking this trauma into themselves.

G-d of justice and mercy,
May the deeds of the first responders
Find favor in Heaven
And bring healing on earth.

© 2011 Alden Solovy and www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: The prayer is a generalized version of a previous piece called “For First Responders to the Earthquake in Haiti.” It was written at the request of the Columbia County Fire Department Auxiliary, Lake City, Fla., for use in their fundraiser cookbook. See also “Yizkor for First Responders” and “Memorial Prayer for 9/11 First Responders.”

Please check out my ELItalk video, “Falling in Love with Prayer,” and This Grateful Heart: Psalms and Prayers for a New Day. For reprint permissions and usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” To receive my latest prayers via email, please subscribe (on the home page). You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter.

Prayer after the Tornadoes

Posted on: April 28th, 2011 by tobendlight

cherokee_tornadoA prayer for tornado victims, with Nashville as the new focus.

After the Tornadoes
G-d beyond my understanding,
The sky has turned violent,
Crushing homes and lives,
Upending dreams,
Toppling the foundations of hope and sustenance.
Crisis and chaos,
Confusion and loss,
A scene of sweeping destruction.

G-d of justice and mercy,
We pray for the people of ___________ [Nashville][other location],
And the victims of any disaster,
Any violence, suffering or despair.
Grant them shelter and solace,
Comfort and consolation,
Blessing and renewal.
May people of righteousness and mercy
Come swiftly to their aid.
Grant them endurance to survive,
Strength to rebuild,
Faith to mourn,
Courage to heal,
And devotion to each other.

G-d of heaven and earth,
Heavenly Guide,
Hand of love and shelter,
Grant the people of ___________ [Nashville][other location],
Your protection,
Your radiance,
And Your peace.

© 2011 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

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Photo Source: NCAR |UCAR AtmosNews

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