DPS Worship Resources in times
of Natural Disasters and Tragedies

 

Call to Worship:

 

L: Gracious God you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. In the wake of storms and natural disasters
P: You reveal your presence so that all may know your healing, hope and love
L: As a community of believers here on earth, bound together by your grace
P: inspire us to pray, serve and help those who suffer.

L: Lord in your mercy
P: Hear our Prayer!

(scroll down for more prayers and hymn suggestions)

 

Prayers:

Prayer for those in the midst of storms or natural disasters:

Merciful God,
when the storms rage and threaten to overtake us,
awaken our faith to know the power of your peace.
Deliver us from our fear and ease our anxiety.
Help us to endure the time of uncertainty
and give us strength to face the challenges ahead.
Give us the assurance of your presence even in this time
so that we can cling to your promise of hope and life shown to us
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

Praying for those suffering from storms or natural disasters

Loving God,

in the communion of Christ, we are joined with the trials and sufferings of all.
Be with those who endure the wind and rain.
Protect those in the path of danger.

Open the pathway of evacuations.
Help loved ones find one another in the chaos.
Provide assistance to those who need help.
Ease the fears of all and make your presence known in the stillness of your peace;
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.


Especially for those who were directly impacted by the storms or flooding:

Merciful God,
Hear our cry for mercy in the wake of wind and water.
Reveal your presence in the midst of our suffering.
Help us to trust in your promises of hope and life
so that desperation and grief will not overtake us.
Come quickly to our aid that we may know peace and joy again.

Strengthen us in this time of trial
with assurance of hope we know in the death and resurrection
of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.



Especially for those in areas that were not directly
impacted by the storms or flooding:

Gracious God,
Your word of peace stills the storms that rage in our world.
Bring hope to places that know devastation in the calm after the storm.
Bring comfort to those who grieve the loss of loved ones and property.

Let your love be known through those who work to bring order in the chaos.
Help us to shoulder the burden of suffering
And make us bearers of the hope that can be found in you
Through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Prayer after a Flood:
by Pastor Kay Braun, adapted

Loving God, we come to you trusting in your mercy
and knowing that your steadfast love endures forever.
Look with mercy on those who are harmed or displaced by flood waters.
Give them your strength to meet the days ahead,
your peace which passes all understanding
and new hope in the resurrection.

Move in those who are able to give aid,
that we may be your hands and heart on earth.
Be with all who offer assistance, may your Spirit may uphold them.
As you have made water a sign of your kingdom,
and of cleansing and rebirth,
grant your people vision to see new life on the other side of disaster.
To you be given all honor and praise, through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

Suggested Scripture Readings:

Isaiah 35: 1-10
Isaiah 40: 28-31
Isaiah 43:1-3a, 18-19, 25
Isaiah 61: 1-3a
Psalm 27
Psalm 91
Psalm 103
Psalm 146
Romans 8
Romans 14: 7-12
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18
Revelation 21: 1-4
John 3: 16-17
John 11: 1-44

Suggested Hymns:

"Calm to the Waves"
"Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me"
"Lord, take my hand and lead me"
"It Is Well with My Soul"
"For Those Who Mourn"
"Trust and Obey"
"Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer"
"By Gracious Powers Wonderfully Sheltered"
"Saranam, Saranam"
"Be Still, My Soul"
"How Firm a Foundation"
"On Eagle's Wings"
"Pues Si Vivimos" ("When We Are Living")
"He’s the Lily of the Valley"
"Why Has God Forsaken Me?"
"Out of the Depths" (Psalm 130)
"His Eve Is on the Sparrow ("Why Should I Feel Discouraged?")
"Give Peace" (Da Pacem Cordium")
"Come and Fill Our Hearts" ("Confitemini Domino")
"We Are Called"
"Wounded World that Cries for Healing"
"Why Stand So Far Away, My God"
"Unsettled World"
"For One Great Peace"
"Song of Hope" ("Canto de Esperanza")
"Eternal Father, Strong to Save"
"In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful"
"O Lord, Hear My Prayer"
"Joy Comes with the Dawn"
"Healer of Our Every Ill"
"Come Now, O Prince of Peace"