Tsunami Prayers and the Twelve Days of Christmas

The largest earthquake to hit the planet in forty years struck at 6:58 a.m. (local time) on December 26, 2004, off the western coast of Sumatra. The devastating walls of water resulting from the earthquake swept the shores of nine countries, including India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Some are saying that this is the largest single disaster to occur upon our planet in recent history.

While we are in the twelve days of Christmas with their continuing sense of joy and festivity, the wisdom of the church's prayer recognizes that Christ's birth and incarnation are not to be romanticized. In historic practice (the Sanctoral Cycle), the day afterc Christmas, December 26, is St. Stephen the Martyr's Day, and December 28 is Holy Innocents Day— the commemoration of the children Herod slaughtered in his attempt to kill the baby he thought would be his rival. As the death toll from the earthquake and tsunami makes clear, the Christmas gospel of "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors" must always leave room for lament of what it not yet peaceful or resolved within God's redemptive purpose (Colossians 1:15-20).

Prayers:
See The United Methodist Book of Worship, 509, "In Time of Natural Disaster"

Additional Resources for Prayer

Lord Jesus,
from your birth, you are martyr-master.*
We thank you for your love poured into our hearts,
even when we do not comprehend the dark side of your blessing.
In this time of Christmas joy,
we are grateful that
when darkness of the world comes
with senseless wasting of lives,
you make victims your dearest prize
and enable us to see "sweet heaven astrew in them."*
Now hear us as we lift dark circumstances
into your holy and perfecting light:

For all victims of natural disaster,
especially those who lives were swept away in the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
Gather them to yourself in love . . .
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
For the family of nations: that our response to this crisis will be sacrificial and generous . . .
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
For the church: that all relief agencies will be gracious channels of your love and mercy
and that all Christians will recognize the poor and devastated on distant shores . . .
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.
For the human family as we grapple with the as-yet-senseless sufferings of our own lives and that of our fellow human beings . . .
Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

(This prayer through the words "holy and perfecting light" is copyright © 1991, 1998 The Order of Saint Luke. From The Daily Office: A Book of Hours for Daily Prayer (Volume One: Advent through Season after Epiphany), page 169. Used with permission. The remainder of the prayer is copyright © 2004 Discipleship Ministries.)

*The phrases are from Gerald Manley Hopkins' "The Wreck of the Deutschland."In the concluding stanzas of the poem, Hopkins daringly entertains the vision of Christ coming for the victims of the shipwreck. He asks, stanza 31, "is the shipwrack then a harvest, does tempest carry the grain for thee?"

For All Sorts and Conditions of Men

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make they ways known unto them, thysaving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [especially those for whom our prayers are desired]; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

From the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Public Domain.

For the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Public Domain.

Daniel Benedict is retired from the staff of the Discipleship Ministries.