Our Father in heaven,
we humbly pray to you as a nation.
We plead to Your merciful heart
that You may look upon us with compassion.
Deliver us from the impending devastation
with which Typhoon Pepeng threatens us.
Reeling from the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy,
we are worn and weary, homeless and hungry.
We have barely begun picking up the pieces
of our shattered lives
and we dread the onslaught of another calamity.
In the midst of the destructive forces
of Typhoon Pepeng,
we turn to You, Father, our Creator and Protector,
and beg You to hear our prayers:
We pray for our brothers and sisters
who have lost their lives.
Receive them in Your heavenly kingdom.
We pray for those who are lost and still finding
their way back to their families.
Lead them safely home to their loved ones.
We pray for those who have lost homes and belongings.
Comfort them in their grief.
We pray for those who have lost crops and livestock.
Console them in their loss.
We pray especially for those still awaiting to be rescued.
Give them strength and faith in You
amidst their desperate and dangerous conditions.
We pray for those dislocated and dispossessed,
for those seeking refuge in evacuation centers.
Embrace them with Your warmth
and sustain them in Your providence.
For those of us who have been spared
the devastating effects of Typhoon Ondoy,
enlarge our hearts to aid those in dire need,
open our homes to those seeking shelter,
use our arms to comfort the grieving,
employ our hands to help others
rebuild their homes and lives.
In the midst of these calamities,
may we never lose sight of Your abiding presence
and steadfast love for us Your children.
In the midst of our misfortunes,
may we see You suffering with those suffering,
toiling with those laboring for others.
May we behold You in all those caring for others,
feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless.
To You, O Lord, Creator and Protector,
We entrust our lives and our nation,
our sorrows and fears, our hopes and longings.
In Your mercy, hear and grant our prayers.
Amen
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Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ is a prolific composer of liturgical music and serves on the faculty of the Loyola School of Theology. For feedback on this column, e-mail tinigloyola@yahoo.com