“Fourth Man” at Fukushima Dai-ichi

There in the fiery furnace, we see you,

walking and working beside this hour's

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

In them you defy fire and fear.

Succeed in them

while we watch,

stunned,

grateful,

sad,

hoping.

(The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego thrown into the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:19-30 provides the imagery for these prayers. If used in gathered worship the community's "Amen" should be added and a setting of the Kyrie Eleison in the hymnal or The Faith We Sing might be said or sung before and after the prayer.)

Daniel Benedict served as Director of Worship Resources for Discipleship Ministries from 1993-2005. He is abbot of the Order of Saint Luke and lives in Waialua, Hawaii.