Through the Flow of Salty Tears

God be with us,
As we sift through the rubble of lives that once were,
Contemplating how to begin lives that will be.

Incline your ear toward us,
As we pause in prayer
for the families of those who lost loved ones in the flood.
And hear the sighs of all whose jobs were washed away in the flood --
perhaps never to appear again.

God be with us
As we all adjust and adapt to changes
as simple as a new route to work
or as complex as rebuilding and relocating.

Oh God,
Guide our efforts
as we attempt to help our neighbors find a new way.

Oh God,
Heal a city in shock and mourning
bereft of landmarks and history.

Oh God,
Restore us, heal us
and resettle us in your love.

Our eyes are turned toward heaven
And our hearts reach for you
Through the flow of salty tears,
In these muddy, challenging post-flood days. Amen.