Prayer with Survivors

Today, O God,
we pray with all who sit in the rubble,
and live in tents,
remembering what used to be
and who used to be there.

We pray with them for the courage to look
forward more than backward
to days in the future that will be brighter.

We pray, O God,
with anyone who dares to place one stone on top of another
As an act of rebuilding
As an act of faith in a future unseen.

We pray, O God,
with all who sew up bodies and patch up limbs,
with all who gather the bodies of the dead,
with all who stand as a symbol of peace and stability,
and with all who offer a cup of cold water in your name.

Have mercy upon your people, Lord,
Lift the downtrodden everywhere, Lord,
And grant your peace. Amen.