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!