Tag Archive for "weather"

Posts Tagged ‘weather’

Before the Storm: For Hurricane Florence

Posted on: September 12th, 2018 by Alden

Hurricane Florence is headed the Carolina and Virginia coast. The monster storm is predicted to make landfall as a Category 3 or 4 hurricane.

Before the Storm
G-d of heaven and earth,
Source of All,
The Hurricane Florence approaches,
A tribute to the force of creation,
Your power and might.

What chaos will blow with the wind?
What destruction will strike?
Who will suffer? Who will stay secure?

G-d of mystery and awe,
Grant us safety as Florence engulfs our homes and our lives.
Protect us. Shield us. Guard us.
Grant peace of mind to those in fear.
Grant food and clothing,
Warmth and shelter to those in need.
Bless emergency and rescue workers with the tools and skills they need
As they risk their lives for the sake of our families, communities and friends.
Grant healing to those who are sick or injured.
Bless us with common sense throughout the squall — the wind, the rain and the tides —
And with kinship and cooperation when the hurricane passes.

G-d of awe and wonder,
Our Rock and our Refuge,
See us through the gale
And watch us through the night,
For comfort, security and wellbeing,
So that we may serve You in love.

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Postscript: This is a revision of a prayer written for Hurricane Isaac. After the storm, see “Safety After Violent Weather,” a version of “After the Storm” revised in the wake of Hurricane Irene. My other weather safety prayers include: “In Devastation,” “For First Responders,” “After the Tornadoes” “Safety After Violent Weather” and “After the Storm.”

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.

Photo Source: NASA

For Houston

Posted on: August 29th, 2017 by Alden

A prayer for the people of Houston in the wake of Harvey.

For Houston
G-d of earth and sea,
Of ocean and shore,
Source of All,
This storm is relentless and unyielding,
Bringing destruction and chaos.
Who will suffer? Who will stay secure?

G-d of mystery and awe,
Grant us safety as the waters engulf our homes and our lives.
Protect us. Shield us. Guard us.
Grant peace to those in fear.
Grant food and clothing,
Warmth and shelter to those in need.
Bless emergency and rescue workers with the tools and skills they need
As they risk their lives for the sake of our families, communities and friends.
Grant healing to those who are sick or injured,
And solace to the bereaved.
Bless us with common sense throughout the squall
And with kinship and cooperation when the storm passes.

G-d of awe and wonder,
Our Rock and our Refuge,
See us through the torrent.
Watch us through the days and nights,
For comfort, security and well-being,
So that we may serve You
And each other,
In love.

Postscript: See also: “Safety during a Hurricane” and “Safety after Violent Weather.”

Photo Source: CNN

After Matthew: Safety after Violent Weather

Posted on: October 7th, 2016 by Alden

This is a prayer for safety and healing after Hurricane Matthew. Even as the storm moves up the Florida coast, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas have begun the tasks of clean-up, mourning and rebuilding. The perspective is gratitude for survival. It’s difficult to capture in one prayer the range of outcomes and individual experiences from weather events. Here’s a prayer “For the People of Haiti.” For those who have yet to experience the storm, please see “Safety During a Hurricane.” Here’s a prayer “For First Responders” who put thier own lives at risk to save others. Optional language is shown in [brackets].

After Matthew: Safety after Violent Weather
G-d of heaven and earth,
Source of All,
The storm has passed.
Earth, sea and sky are quiet.
The tempest moved on.

Thank you for the kinship of neighbors and friends
As we work together to clean up after violent weather.
Bless those who were injured with healing and recovery.
Bless those who lost family or friends with comfort and hope.
Provide food and clothing, warmth and comfort, to all in need.
Thank you for providing safety and shelter
To my [family][friends][neighbors][parents][children].
Thank you for the emergency and rescue workers
Who kept watch and risked their lives for our community.
As we return to our daily lives,
We pray for the victims of any disaster,
Any violence, suffering or despair.

Blessed are You, our Rock and our Shelter.

Postscript: This prayer first appeared here as “After Irene: A Prayer after Violent Weather” on August 27, 2011. Another example of a prayer after violent weather: “After the Tornadoes.” Other weather and disaster related prayers include: “In Devastation (For the People of Haiti),” which I then rewrote as “In Devastation (For the People of New Zealand)” and used as part of a prayer “For Japan.” I used the prayer “For First Responders (to the Earthquake in Haiti)” as the inspiration for a prayer called “Memorial Prayer for 9-11 First Responders.”

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Photo Source: WikiMedia Commons, Hurricane Fran 1996

Safety After Violent Weather (Revised)

Posted on: October 30th, 2012 by tobendlight

This expresses gratitude for those who weather a major storm safely, including a prayer for safety and healing for all who are suffering as the result of the storm. It’s difficult to capture in one prayer the unique experiences of individuals and the range of outcomes from weather events. This version removes references to any particular storm. Optional language is shown in [brackets]. See also this revised version of my prayer “For First Responders,” posted earlier today. It’s rare for me to post more than two prayers per week, let alone two on one day. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, I decided to repost these prayers immediately.

Safety After Violent Weather II
G-d of heaven and earth,
Source of All,
The storm has passed.
Earth, sea and sky are quiet.
The tempest moved on.

Thank you for the kinship of neighbors and friends
As we work together to clean up after violent weather.
Bless those who were injured with healing and recovery.
[Bless those who lost family or friends with comfort and hope.]
Provide food and clothing, warmth and comfort, to all in need.
Thank you for providing safety and shelter
To my [family][friends][neighbors][parents][children].
Thank you for the emergency and rescue workers
Who kept watch and risked their lives for our community.
As we return to our daily lives,
We pray for the victims of any disaster,
Any violence, suffering or despair.

Blessed are You, our Rock and our Shelter.

Postscript: My other weather safety prayers include: “In Devastation,” “After the Tornadoes” and “After the Storm.” I used the prayer “For First Responders (to the Earthquake in Haiti)” as the inspiration for a prayer called “Memorial Prayer for 9-11 First Responders.” This prayer was first posted August 27, 2011.

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Safety during a Hurricane

Posted on: October 29th, 2012 by tobendlight

This is a prayer for safety to be said as a hurricane approaches, as well as during the storm. Use the blank line to fill in the name of the storm. Here’s a prayer to be said after the storm passes called “Safety After Violent Weather.”

Safety During a Hurricane
G-d of heaven and earth,
Source of All,
Hurricane____________,
A tribute to the force of creation,
Your power and might.

What chaos will blow with the wind?
What destruction will strike?
Who will suffer? Who will stay secure?

G-d of mystery and awe,
Grant us safety as the storm
Engulfs our homes and our lives.
Protect us. Shield us. Guard us .
Grant peace of mind to those in fear.
Grant food and clothing,
Warmth and shelter to those in need.
Bless emergency and rescue workers with the tools and skills they need
As they risk their lives for the sake of our families, communities and friends.
Grant healing to those who are sick or injured.
Bless us with common sense throughout the squall — the wind, the rain and the tides —
And with kinship and cooperation when the hurricane passes.

G-d of awe and wonder,
Our Rock and our Refuge,
See us through the gale
And watch us through the night,
For comfort, security and well-being,
So that we may serve You in love.

Postscript: This prayer was first posted as “Before the Storm” on February 1, 2011, and was modified and reposted for Hurricane Isaac on August 28, 2012. My other weather safety prayers include: “In Devastation,” “For First Responders,” “After the Tornadoes” “Safety After Violent Weather” and “After the Storm.” I used the prayer “For First Responders (to the Earthquake in Haiti)” as the inspiration for a prayer called “Memorial Prayer for 9-11 First Responders.”

Photo Source: WikiMedia Commons

Before the Storm: For Hurricane Isaac

Posted on: August 28th, 2012 by tobendlight

Hurricane Isaac is headed toward New Orleans seven years after Hurricane Katrina hit, also in late August. To listen along, click on the triangle in the bar below. The text follows. For those who’ve already experienced Isaac, see “Safety After Violent Weather,” a version of “After the Storm” revised in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

Before the Storm
G-d of heaven and earth,
Source of All,
The storm [Hurricane Isaac] approaches,
A tribute to the force of creation,
Your power and might.

What chaos will blow with the wind?
What destruction will strike?
Who will suffer? Who will stay secure?

G-d of mystery and awe,
Grant us safety as the tempest [this storm][Isaac] engulfs our homes and our lives.
Protect us. Shield us. Guard us.
Grant peace of mind to those in fear.
Grant food and clothing,
Warmth and shelter to those in need.
Bless emergency and rescue workers with the tools and skills they need
As they risk their lives for the sake of our families, communities and friends.
Grant healing to those who are sick or injured.
Bless us with common sense throughout the squall [the wind, the rain and the tides]
And with kinship and cooperation when the storm [hurricane] passes.

G-d of awe and wonder,
Our Rock and our Refuge,
See us through the gale
And watch us through the night,
For comfort, security and wellbeing,
So that we may serve You in love.

Postscript: Thanks to friend and supporter Brenda Epstein for suggesting that I post a prayer about Hurricane Isaac. My other weather safety prayers include: “In Devastation,” “For First Responders,” “After the Tornadoes” “Safety After Violent Weather” and “After the Storm.” I used the prayer “For First Responders (to the Earthquake in Haiti)” as the inspiration for a prayer called “Memorial Prayer for 9-11 First Responders.” This prayer was first posted on February 1, 2011.

If you like this prayer, post a link to your Facebook page, your blog or as part of a tweet. And don’t forget to click “like” on this page. Thanks. Please subscribe. For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!”

Prayer After Hurricane Irene: Safety After Violent Weather

Posted on: August 27th, 2011 by tobendlight

This is a prayer of gratitude for safety and healing after a major storm. It’s difficult to capture in one prayer the unique experiences of individuals and the range of outcomes from weather events. For those who experienced Hurricane Irene days ago, please excuse the tardiness of this offering. For those who have yet to experience the storm, please see “Safety During a Hurricane.” Optional language is shown in [brackets].

After Irene: Safety After Violent Weather
G-d of heaven and earth,
Source of All,
The storm has passed.
Earth, sea and sky are quiet.
The tempest moved on.

Blessed are You, our Rock and our Shelter.

Postscript: Another example of a prayer after violent weather: this spring I wrote “After the Tornadoes.” Other weather and disaster related prayers include: “In Devastation (For the People of Haiti),” which I then rewrote as “In Devastation (For the People of New Zealand)” and used as part of a prayer “For Japan.” I used the prayer “For First Responders (to the Earthquake in Haiti)” as the inspiration for a prayer called “Memorial Prayer for 9-11 First Responders.”

Photo Source: WHSV3 News

Before the Storm: For Hurricane Irene

Posted on: August 25th, 2011 by tobendlight

Hurricane Irene is headed toward the U.S. eastern seaboard. This is a prayer for safety in a storm, written when the blizzard of 2011 kicked into high gear in Chicagoland and reposted here with audio and new optional language shown in [brackets]. To listen as you read, click on the triangle in the bar below. The text follows. For those who’ve already experienced the storm, see “Safety After Violent Weather.”

Before the Storm
G-d of heaven and earth,
Source of All,
The storm [Hurricane Irene] approaches,
A tribute to the force of creation,
Your power and might.

What chaos will blow with the wind?
What destruction will strike?
Who will suffer? Who will stay secure?

G-d of mystery and awe,
Grant us safety as the tempest [this storm][Irene] engulfs our homes and our lives.
Protect us. Shield us. Guard us.
Grant peace of mind to those in fear.
Grant food and clothing,
Warmth and shelter to those in need.
Bless emergency and rescue workers with the tools and skills they need
As they risk their lives for the sake of our families, communities and friends.
Grant healing to those who are sick or injured.
Bless us with common sense throughout the squall [the wind, the rain and the tides]
And with kinship and cooperation when the storm [hurricane] passes.

G-d of awe and wonder,
Our Rock and our Refuge,
See us through the gale
And watch us through the night,
For comfort, security and wellbeing,
So that we may serve You in love.

Postscript: This prayer was first posted on February 1, 2011.

For usage guidelines and reprint permissions, see “Share the Prayer!” For notices of new prayers, please subscribe. You can also connect on Facebook and Twitter. If you like this prayer, please post a link to Facebook, your blog or mention it in a tweet. Please consider making a contribution to support this site and my writing.

After the Storm: A Moment of Gratitude

Posted on: February 2nd, 2011 by tobendlight

This prayer was written once the late January blizzard of 2011 moved east from Chicago. When tornadoes hit the South several months later, many folks found it again. Here’s a prayer called “After the Tornadoes” and another called “Before the Storm.”

To listen while you read, click on the triangle in the bar below:

After the Storm: A Moment of Gratitude
G-d of heaven and earth,
Source of All,
The storm passed,
The tempest moved on.

Thank you for the kinship of neighbors and friends
As we work together to clean up after the squall.
Thank you for providing safety
To my family and friends throughout the gale.
Thank you for the emergency and rescue workers
Who kept watch and risked their lives for our community.
Bless all who were injured with healing and recovery.
Provide food and clothing, warmth and comfort, to all in need.

Blessed are You, our Rock and our Shelter.

Postscript: Several more months have come and gone. Hurricane Irene is now headed up the east coast of the U.S. I’ve updated and revised this prayer as “After Hurricane Irene: Safety After Violent Weather.”

Before the Storm

Posted on: February 1st, 2011 by tobendlight

Here’s a prayer to be said before a storm hits. I wrote this for the great Chicago blizzard of 2011 and posted it just as the storm kicked into high gear. Here’s a link to a prayer of gratitude to be said “After the Storm” passes.

Before the Storm
G-d of heaven and earth,
Source of All,
The storm approaches,
A tribute to the force of creation,
Your power and might.

What chaos will blow with the wind?
What destruction will strike?
Who will suffer? Who will stay secure?

G-d of mystery and awe,
Grant us safety as the tempest engulfs our homes and our lives.
Protect us. Shield us. Guard us.
Grant peace of mind to those in fear.
Grant food and clothing,
Warmth and shelter to those in need.
Bless emergency and rescue workers with the tools and skills they need
As they risk their lives for the sake of our families, communities and friends.
Grant healing to those who are sick or injured.
Bless us with common sense throughout the squall
And with kinship and cooperation when the storm passes.

G-d of awe and wonder,
Our Rock and our Refuge,
See us through the gale
And watch us through the night,
For comfort, security and wellbeing,
So that we may serve You in love.

Postscript: I’ve reposted this prayer, with audio, for the approach of Hurricane Irene, along with new optional language.

Photo credit: Nature’s Fury

Posts Tagged ‘weather’

Before the Storm: For Hurricane Florence

For Houston

After Matthew: Safety after Violent Weather

Safety After Violent Weather (Revised)

Safety during a Hurricane

Before the Storm: For Hurricane Isaac

Prayer After Hurricane Irene: Safety After Violent Weather

Before the Storm: For Hurricane Irene

After the Storm: A Moment of Gratitude

Before the Storm

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