Brothers and Sisters (pray* for New Orleans)

Let us join together in a time of great anguish to pray* for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, for our leaders, and for ourselves.

For the victims:

• We remember those displaced by enormous catastrophe:
  whose houses were destroyed by water, wind and fire;
  who were left unemployed, their places of business smashed;
  who are sheltered far from home, frightened, alone, their lives disrupted;
  who may never be able to return to the city they have lost.
  Protect and deliver them.

• We remember those trapped in the city:
  who awaited help for long hours and days;
  who were trapped in attics and upper floors;
  who were forced to endure privation, terror, hunger and thirst;
  who stole to stay alive;
  who died from murder, suicide, lack of food and medicine;
  who called out for help that never arrived.
  Show them compassion.

• We remember the rescue workers:
  who tried to fight fires without usable water;
  who watched their levees and their city collapse helplessly;
  who plucked untold numbers from wreckage and water;
  who transported thousands;
  who did all they could;
  who stayed on the job far past the breaking point;
  who called out for help that never arrived.
  Sustain and heal them.

• We remember the dead:
  the grandmothers and grandfathers;
  the infants and children;
  the unlucky;
  the poor;
  the victims of violence and indifference;
  all who called out for help that never arrived.
  Accept them into your mercy and grant all that they were denied in this life.

For our leaders:

• We remember those who acted courageously and with foresight;
  who did their duty and more;
  who wept for those they could not protect;
  who marshaled every resource they could find;
  who pushed themselves to their limits and beyond;
  who begged for help that never arrived.
  Give them thanks and praise; prosper the work of their hands.

• We remember those who were overwhelmed by disaster;
  whose radios ceased to function;
  whose plans were inadequate;
  whose leadership collapsed;
  whose offers of assistance were spurned;
  Comfort and protect them.

• We remember those who failed the victims through ignorance, confusion, or hard-heartedness;
  who fell victim to confusion and inaction due to their lack of leadership;
  who failed to evacuate the city quickly;
  who did not prepare adequately;
  who ignored the need to prepare;
  who stole the protection of 400,000 persons for an immoral war;
  who did not know where assistance was needed;
  who did not provide assistance in time;
  who waited for paperwork instead of acting;
  who vacationed at a time of crisis;
  who congratulated themselves;
  who held press conferences instead of helping;
  who halted or faked help to burnish their own image;
  who promised help that never arrived.
  Forgive them and cleanse our hearts of anger toward them.

For ourselves:

• We remember that we are sometimes held back:
  we are afraid to risk what we have;
  we are stretched thin and unsure of our abilities;
  we are indifferent;
  we are apathetic;
  we are depressed and grieving;
  we are angry and outraged, and we sometimes misuse our emotions;
  we are tempted by the lure of the easy way out.
  Forgive us and equip us.

• We remember that we have tremendous power for good:
  we can give our money;
  we can give our time;
  we can give our energy;
  we can open our homes;
  we can open our hearts.
  Motivate us to ever-greater action.

• We remember that we can demand change:
  we can demand adequate planning;
  we can demand adequate and timely response;
  we can demand adequate environmental protection;
  we can demand that resources not be diverted for political aims;
  we can demand that resources be shared equally, and for the good of all;
  we can demand that those who have failed be held accountable;
  we can demand that justice be done;
  we can demand that help always arrives.
  May it ever be so!