Praying with and for the people of Haiti
Having suffered a devastating earthquake in January of 2010 and a subsequent cholera outbreak in October, the people of Haiti are facing yet another terrible crisis with Hurricane Tomas. We can support the people of Haiti with our prayers, asking God to save them from this disaster, shelter them from danger, and sustain them in the work of recovery. You can find other vital ways to support the church’s relief efforts in Haiti at the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance website.
Prayer at a time of disaster. These materials may be used or adapted for personal prayer or congregational liturgy. In public worship, they might be introduced with a brief account of the recent hurricane and news of the church’s relief efforts (see paragraph above).
Sentences of Scripture
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Prayer
Mark 4
Living God, our refuge and strength,
even the wind and sea obey your voice.
Put the wind back in its place,
and say to the sea: Peace! Be still!
Fill us with great faith,
and save us from the surging water,
so that we may tell the good news of your saving love;
through Jesus Christ, our hope in the storm. Silent prayer.
Words of Assurance
Isaiah 43
Now thus says the Lord, your Creator:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters.
Intercession. This brief intercession for the people of Haiti may be included among the Prayers of the People in public worship or in personal prayer:
Gracious God, bring hope and healing to the people of Haiti,
that even in a time of terrible disaster they may know your saving love.
Pray for rescue and relief workers. When I was doing hurricane relief work as a Presbyterian Mission Volunteer in South Florida after Hurricane Andrew, there were a couple of passages from Isaiah that took on special significance:
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in. (Isaiah 58:12)
They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations. (Isaiah 61:4)
Based on those passages, as well as the crossing of the sea in Exodus 14 and Joshua 3, here is a prayer for rescue, recovery, and relief workers.
God our help and hope when waters rise,
you brought your people safely through the sea
into a land of plenty and promise.
Sustain all those who seek to save others,
so that they may repair the ruined cities,
raise up the former devastations,
and be the restorers of streets to live in;
through Jesus Christ, our eternal savior.
Sing with the people of Haiti. Here are a few hymns from the 1990 Presbyterian Hymnal that are particularly appropriate for this occasion:
God is Our Refuge and Our Strength (PH 191)
Give to the Winds Thy Fears (PH 286)
How Firm a Foundation (PH 361)
See also Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s hymn “In Haiti There is Anguish”.
Download a version of the Kyrie eleison (“Lord, have mercy”) set to a traditional Haitian tune, arranged and adapted by Andrew Donaldson for the Presbyterian Church in Canada. This would be a fitting musical introduction or response to prayer.
Hymn for Haiti: Kyrie Eleison to a Haitian Melody
Feuilles ‐ O (Kyrie) (PDF)
Materials by David Gambrell for the Office of Theology and Worship, General Assembly Mission Council, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
