How Do We Pray For Japan?

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan has left many of us reeling, particularly as it came so soon after the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. We are overwhelmed by the devastation and the helplessness we all feel to respond. So how do we pray for those who are suffering and for those who have died? It is not easy and anything that we can say seems inadequate. Here is what came to my mind this afternoon as I was praying for the people of Japan and remembered again those in Christchurch, and Libya, Yemen, the Ivory Coast, and the many other places of unrest in our world:

Lord our world has been shaken by earthquakes and wars,
Lord our lives have been deluged by floods and tsunamis,
Our hearts are aching and we are overwhelmed,
Lord have mercy.

God whose love never lets go, be with all who have died,
God whose compassion never ceases comfort all who have suffered loss,
God who stands firm as a rock provide security for all whose world has fallen apart,
Christ have mercy.

Lord hear our cry for mercy when we call to you for help,
Lord may we be strong and and not give up,
May we reach out in love and compassion, finding hope in your abiding presence,
Lord have mercy.

Christine Sine is executive director of Mustard Seed Associates and author of several books including GodSpace: Time for Peace in the Rhythms of Life. She describes herself as a contemplative activist encouraging a way of life that interweaves spiritual practices with concern for justice and environmentalism. She blogs at GodSpace.