From the New York Times"
An earthquake of 8.9. magnitude struck off the coast of Japan on Friday, the strongest ever recorded in the country. The quake churned up a devastating tsunami that swept over cities and farmland in the northern part of the country and threatened coastal areas throughout the Pacific and as far away the west coast of the United States and South America.Fragmentary early reports of the toll indicate that hundreds of people have been killed. Japanese police officials told the Associated Press that 200 to 300 bodies were found in Sendai, a port city in the northeastern part of the country and the closest main city to the epicenter.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks prayer in response to natural disaster.
Adon ha-olamim, Sovereign of the universe,
We join our prayers to the prayers of others throughout the world, for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami which this week has brought destruction and disaster to many lives.
Almighty God, we pray You, send healing to the injured, comfort to the bereaved, and news to those who sit and wait. May You be with those who even now are engaged in the work of rescue. May You send Your strength to those who are striving to heal the injured, give shelter to the homeless, and bring food and water to those in need. May You bless the work of their hands, and may they merit to save lives.
Almighty God, we recognise how small we are, and how powerless in the face of nature when its full power is unleashed. Therefore, open our hearts in prayer and our hands in generosity, so that our words may bring comfort and our gifts bring aid. Be with us now and with all humanity as we strive to mend what has been injured and rebuild what has been destroyed.
Ken Yehi Ratzon, ve-nomar Amen.
May it be Your will, and let us say Amen.
From Beliefnet.
Ve-nomar Amen.
ReplyDeleteGod save the people
ReplyDeleteFor thine they are.
Thy children, as thy angels, fair.
God save the people
From despair.
[wv, "impacous": trying to have impact, but merely vacuous?]
Prayers from me for Japan too.
ReplyDeleteWe are so lucky to be in a part of Japan that was just shaken up. I find it hard to tear myself away from the news. It is so sad and yet folks are being so brave. I just saw footage of the first bullet train, for Tokyo, to leave my city in 25 hours...the people were lined up waiting and then entered in an orderly fashion. It was amazing. So many people, such a need for prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Catherine, it is so good to hear from you. I'm glad you and yours are safe. It's very sad, though, for so many. The death toll may be high, indeed. And now there's the explosion of the nuclear reactor to contend with.
ReplyDeletePrayers continue.
Grandmere Mimi,
ReplyDeleteThe continued prayers are appreciated. So, so much for this wonderful country to deal with.
So much for the self-interested claims for the "safety" of the modern nuclear power industry.
ReplyDelete