Prayers for a Gulf Coast Tragedy

“Even the wind and the sea obey him…” (Mk4:41)

P r a y e r s f o r a G u l f C o a s t T r a g e d y1

“Even the wind and the sea obey him…” (Mk 4:41) Prayers for a Gulf Coast Tragedy Praying for and with all those affected by the Gulf Oil Spill

Compiled by Sr. Mary Elizabeth Tebo, FSP

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Cover photo by Sr. Mary Emmanuel, FSP Photos throughout: Sr. Mary Emmanuel, FSP, Sr. Anne Richard, FSP, Sr. Leonora Wilson, FSP All prayers except when otherwise noted have been written by Sr. Mary Elizabeth Tebo, FSP The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2010 Daughters of St. Paul Printed and published in the U.S.A. by Pauline Books and Media, 50 Saint Paul’s Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3491. www.pauline.org Some rights reserved. You may distribute, use, create derivative works of this book even commercially as long as you credit the publisher for the original creation.

Pauline Books & Media is the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of women religious serving the Church with the communications media.

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The blessing of Moses The Lord bless you and keep you!

The Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you!

The Lord lift up his face to you and give you peace!

(Nu 6:24)

Prayer for those Affected by the Oil Spill in the Gulf Father in Heaven, Creator of all, so many of your children are hurting because of the disaster of the oil spill in the Gulf of New Mexico.

So, so, many lives and livelihoods are damaged. You created the world good and beautiful and provide for all peoples. But we are in serious difficulties. This man-made disaster threatens life on a great scale: the lives of creatures of the sea and all the people and the environment in the territory affected by this tragic situation.

Countless jobs have been lost and have affected in a major way the economy of the nation. We have become more seriously aware of human limitations and weaknesses.

Father, help us and all those suffering from this situation. Protect us.

Provide for us. Help us find jobs. Provide food and safety for your creatures. Somehow, in your Providence and power, bring good out of this tragedy. Our brothers and sisters are being sorely tried. Inspire and equip people to be successful as they take serious action to prevent all further damage from this oil spill and to come to the aid of all the victims it touches. Amen.

Sr. Sharon Anne Legere

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Crying in Prayer to the Lord For the comfort and consolation of all people, ourselves and our children, Lord, hear my prayer and answer me when I call.

For our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. For those who do not understand us, Lord, hear my prayer and answer me when I call.

That I may see with the eyes of my heart, the suffering around me and bear witness to your love; so here on earth as in heaven charity and compassion will be shown, Lord, hear my prayer and answer me when I call.

For wisdom, courage and strength to respond to the needs of others who lack the ability to rise from the depths of their misery, Lord, hear my prayer and answer me when I call.

Lord, protect those who are called to minister in dangerous areas under the threats of disease and infection; of environmental destruction, of bombs and bullets; far away from their homes and the lands they know and love.

Bring them back safely to their loved ones in health, and peace, wrapped in the pure joy you alone can give. Amen.

Lord, hear my prayer and answer me when I call.

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Prayer for the Gulf Oil Spill Heavenly Father, you created all things and saw that they were good.

Through them, you provide for our needs and the needs of all living creatures.

You entrusted this world and its resources to our care.

Human selfishness, greed and carelessness have wasted your gifts and poisoned the land, sea and air.

The oil spill in the Gulf is terribly destructive and the cause of much hardship and suffering.

Comfort and provide for all who are affected by this disaster.

Enable the spill to be contained and cleaned up.

Heal the damage that has been inflicted on the environment.

We are sorry for this abuse of your generosity.

Help us to be good stewards to all of creation.

This we ask in the name of Jesus, your Son. Amen.

Sr. Patricia Cora Shaules

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In our anxiety, Jesus! Teach us how to pray.

Our Father Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil. Amen.

Jesus reaches out his hand to grasp those who are anxious: “Do not fear I am with you all days, even to the end of the earth.� (Mt 28:20) He clasps you to his heart and holds you close.

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Prayer for the Care of the Environment Heavenly Father, You created all things and saw that they were good.

Through them you provided for our needs and the needs of all living creatures.

You entrusted this world and its resources to our care.

Human selfishness, greed, and carelessness have wasted and even destroyed some of your gifts.

In some cases this abuse has caused much suffering and poisoned land, sea and air.

Convert our hearts so that we will respect and care for these gifts.

Teach us to treasure these resources and to take personal responsibility for the environment.

Enable us to pass effective legislation to protect and promote the goods of the earth.

Heal the damage we have inflicted.

May we learn to live in harmony and with a sense of stewardship with all of creation. This we ask in the name of Jesus, your Son. Amen.

Sr. Patricia Cora Shaules

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The Prayer of Jesus for the Anxious: the Beatitudes “Then he looked up at his disciples and said: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you who are hungry, for you will be filled.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.� (Lk 6: 20-24)

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The Prayer of Someone who Has Lost a Job I don’t understand, Lord! Why me!

Why did you let this happen when I have children, a wife and relatives to support!

What will I do? This is such a terrible thing. I am beginning to panic.

Anxiety grabs my chest.

I will slip into a nearby church and try to calm myself. (pause) What are you saying, Lord? “I am with you. I will not leave you alone.”

Tears stream down my face again. I know you will not lead me and my family out into dangerous paths. I will keep my options open with great trust in you.

Please whisper some wisdom to me. (pause) Lord, let us look for another job…together….

Work that perhaps you would like me to do.

Maybe in a new way, in an unexpected way, I can make a difference in this world. Amen.

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Psalm 121: God is ever wakeful, guarding us from harm If I look to the mountains will they come to my aid?

My help is from the Lord, who made earth and the heavens.

May God, who is ever wakeful, keep you from stumbling: the Guardian of Israel, neither rests nor sleeps.

God shields you, a protector at your side.

The sun shall not harm you by day nor the moon at night.

God shelters you from evil securing your life.

God watches over you near and far, now and always.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

A Prayer to Calm Anxiety Psalm 23 He leads me by safe paths The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley I fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

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When Bills Pile Up Look at these bills coming in! Dear Lord, they frighten me and I have no place to hide from them.

They find me even at night when I am asleep.

I have no peace of mind.

But I believe in your Divine Providence, O Lord.

I trust in your care for me.

I have faith, “increase my faith! Lord.�

You promised that those who have the faith of a mustard seed will move mountains. I am asking, Lord, that you supply the faith I need, and move these mountains of bills for me so I can breath once again without feeling the weight of creditors knocking at my door, usurping all my waking hours.

I have not spent more than I should have. Indeed, Lord, I have not even what I need. Yet, I know that somehow your kindness will shower me with all I need to pay my just debts. Amen.

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A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

(Mt 6: 25-27)

May I be guarded by the angels of God; in my anxiety they will lead me in peace.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrusts me here.

Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

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Prayer for Safety in Hurricane Season Jesus, you who calmed the sea, you who walked across the waters, hear our humble voices.

We turn to you who are still the Master of land and sea during this hurricane season. This season brings anxiety as we realize the danger we are in, particularly this year because of the oil spill. We are already suffering from this disaster and a hurricane will only make the suffering worse.

Spare all of us, O Lord, from every tragedy during this hurricane season. Let no harm come to us. Calm our anxiety. May we hear your voice, “Do not be afraid. I am with you.” May your presence bring us comfort. Save us, our families and neighbors, our businesses, our homes, our Churches and schools.

O Mary, Star of the Sea, be a mother to us. Plead with Jesus that we be spared the calamity that a hurricane can cause. We will live in gratitude and trust completely in your Son’s love for us. Amen.

Psalm 92 “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you.’

‘On their hands they will bear you up, so you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

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Anxiety Dear Lord, I don’t mean to complain; I want to seek your will but I am experiencing great agitation of mind and heart. To seek your will is the expression of a contemplative mind. Quiet my heart then and let me hear from you, make me aware of what I should do. Help me, because my anxiety is getting the better of me. I can’t quiet myself without your help.

Give me the capacity to understand what you desire from me. Help me to contemplate and see you in everything and everyone. Amen.

A Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians (chapter 13): Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends.

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A Covenant of Peace with the Lord Lord, I am in your service in all that I do. Watch me so I do not work halfheartedly, but with all conscientiousness. Help me work with joy and an eager spirit. Then my heart will remain in peace.

Let me persevere when hardships strike, knowing full well that you are at my side, and all things will work for the best for me and for all those whom I love.

I will try not to pay much regard to my social standing. Keep me from cursing those who persecute me, never let me pay back evil for evil. I want to remember to bless them, for they are your children just as I am.

May my will remain in your peace. Keep me humble and in peace, Lord.

To my fullest ability, I promise to remain at peace with everyone, especially myself. Then with your help, I will be an oasis of peace on the earth, so torn by passions and self-interest. Amen.

Cast all your anxiety upon the Lord, for he will care for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

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Responsorial Prayer: Job 36:24-33 Surely God is unsearchable in all his ways “Remember to extol his work, of which mortals have sung.

All people have looked on it; everyone watches it from far away.

Surely God is great, and we do not know him; the number of his years is unsearchable.

Surely God is unsearchable in his ways For he draws up the drop of water; he distills his mist in rain, which the skies pour down and drop upon mortals abundantly.

Surely God is unsearchable in his ways Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thundering of his pavilion?

See, he scatters his lightning around him and covers the roots of the sea.

Surely God is unsearchable in his ways For by these he governs peoples; he gives food in abundance.

He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark.

Its crashing tells about him; he is jealous with anger against iniquity.

Surely God is unsearchable in his ways Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.

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Psalm 146 He who created you is also your Savior Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long.

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals in whom there is no help.

When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made haven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

The Lord watches over the strangers; He upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.

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Mary Calms All Our Anxieties Mary, Mother of all nations, in a spirit of joy you overcame your own anxieties to care for a cousin more fragile than you.

Let us rejoice with you and the infant who jumped in Elizabeth’s womb.

Dispel all our fears and anxieties so we can proclaim with Elizabeth: “The Great and Holy One is among us!”

The Light has overcome the darkness. Let us be as lanterns shedding light, dispelling fears and anxieties.

Then we will give peace and calm to others as we walk along the path of life. Amen.

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