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4 days ago

Tonga – January 2022
Communication has been cut off and it may be a while till the full extent of damage and loss of property and possible loss of lives is known. Please pray for the beautiful people in the Kingdom of Tonga whose lives were already significantly impacted by climate change and for the Tongan diaspora spread around the world who are waiting to hear news.

Prayers for Tonga
God, Giver of calm in all turmoil,
we pray for those under ash, steam and gas clouds,
and those who feared or experienced
tsunami this weekend, in the wake of
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai’s eruptions.
We pray for Tonga’s Fonuafo’ou island
nearest to the eruptions,
and Tongatapu Island,
most severely struck by tsunami,
for the capital Nuku’alofa,
where boats and boulders washed ashore,
damaging waterfront and main street,
cutting communications,
contaminating air and water,
as residents fled.
We pray for those in Pago Pago,
American Samoa,
for evacuees in Fiji, especially Suva,
for the nation of Samoa
and for Aotearoa/New Zealand,
braced for impact and sending support.
We pray for Vanatu, Japan,
Alaska, British Columbia, Australia,
California, and the Hawai’ian islands,
all impacted by the high waves.
You, who are remembered,
often in easily said words, as
speaking from fire on the mountains,
shaping the depth of the seas,
walking on the waves,
come in the core of your truth
to ease fear and comfort all,
for you are recognized by us all
in the compassion of a global family,
Amen.
(Source: Maren Tirabassi, Gifts in Open Hands)

Praying in the face of a Tsunami (Tonga, January 2020)
The power of the waves crashing is nothing to the sucking into the deep.
We watch in fear and awe at satellite images and broken messages.
Hear our cry, O Lord.
Hear the pleading of our desperate voices and the longings of our hearts.
Please give us good news.
Please restore families and friends.
We ask that resources might make their way quickly to where they are most needed.
We ask for targeted aid to reach those who can best use it.
We pray about water and food and medicines.
We pray for rescuers, medical teams and emergency workers.
We pray for children and parents and grandparents.
We pray for widows and orphans.
In the face of tragedy and disaster, it is hard to make lists, o lord.
So, we ask your spirit to guide our words and thoughts.
Stir compassion and imagination, as we seek our best loving response.
O God, make haste to save communities in shock.
Enlarge our hearts, so we can respond with you.
Amen.
(Source: Rev Dr Amelia Koh-Butler, Uniting Church in Australia) … See MoreSee Less