God, we confess we don’t understand. We don’t know if this devastation is of your hand or the work of the adversary. We know that you work everything together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose. We know that what was intended for evil, you can use for good. We confess that we know we will have and do have many tests and trials as a consequence of our faithful walk with you. Yet we don’t understand and we want to understand, Lord. We know that your all-knowing eye observed Katrina’s path and wake and the devastation her storm would bring.

We are angry, O God:

Angry with governments who seemingly did not do enough and left those who are suffering to fend for themselves.

Angry when we see leaders flounder and deflect blame upon those who are weaker.

Angry that we do not hear helpful and hopeful words spoken within a dire situation.

Angry because media sources sometimes contribute to the devastation by portraying people acting out of desperation, struggling to best survive.

Angry that the church is not visible enough and seems weak and silent when the world needs to see and hear that the gates of hell will not prevail.

O God, Intervene with help that comes from your divine goodness. Evoke the best in your people. Have mercy on us, Lord. Speak to our angry hearts. Bless us with understanding and hope. May we know in our spirits that your grace is indeed sufficient. Through the blood of Christ, we pray. Amen.

- The Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dudley

Carest Thou not that we perish, O Lord? Jesus, calm the storm of our lives. Stop the tossing of the angry seas — these circumstances that feel like they are happening to us and them. An angry sea within us in our hearts pulls and causes doubt and pain. Calm, O God, this angry sea within us that we may worthily magnify your name. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

- The Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dudley

O Lord, Jesus Christ
Who are as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land,
Who beholdest thy weak creatures
weary of labour, weary of pleasure,
weary of hope deferred, weary of self,
in Thine abundant compassion,
and fellow feeling with us,
and unutterable tenderness,
bring us we pray thee,
unto thy rest.

- Christina Rosetti