Intercessions for China and Burma (May 13, 2008)

Intercessions for Victims of Disasters in China and Burma

Cyclone Nargis May 2, 2008; Wenchuan Earthquake May 12, 2008

O merciful Father, you taught us in your holy Word that you
do not willingly afflict or grieve the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve:
Look with pity upon the sorrows of their children in China and Burma
afflicted by natural disasters, for whom our prayers are offered.
Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience,
comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance
upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Receive in mercy the souls of those who have died.  Bring them forth,
we pray, in your good time fully alive and themselves, but like the stars
shining in the heavens. 
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us.

Give comfort and peace to the dying, Lord. 
Save and preserve, Lord, those whose lives and health are still in danger.
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us.


Ease the pain of the injured. Heal and strengthen the hurt and the ill. 
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us.

Give strong resolve to and strengthen government and military officials,
community leaders, aid workers, care givers, neighbors, and donors that
assistance will come quickly, efficiently, and in adequate amounts, and that
recovery efforts proceed successfully. 
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us.

Bless and comfort those who have lost loved ones and colleagues. 
Help them to not lose hope or a sense of purpose. 
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us.

Bless especially children who have been orphaned, the elderly who have
lost their grown children, and families that have lost their breadwinners. 
Give them adequate replacement caregivers and support. 
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us.

Help those who have lost their homes or their means of livelihood. 
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us.


Help communities rebuild, especially schools, hospitals, and
enterprises that provide livelihoods. 
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us.


Bless all who look on at horror to simply trust in you and not
ask why such disasters happen but rather ask what human need
they can fulfill when facing one.   
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us.

Father, your Son Jesus died for us in shame and pain, but was not
deflected from his mission.  Help us to follow him bravely in the
Way of the Cross.  Help us to be your hands of mercy and
love to those who suffer.   Give us faith, merciful Lord,
that glorious resurrection can follow deadly suffering,  and
that in your good intention for creation, all shall be well,
and all manner of thing can be turned to good. 
O God, make speed to save us.
R.     O Lord, make haste to help us
 
Knowing our weakness, and reminded by these frightening signs
that we are but grass and the flower thereof, all this we ask for your
tender mercies’ sake. 
Amen