Several times in recent days, I have participated in prayer vigils for those who lost their lives and families impacted by the recent floods in central Texas. I have been especially impacted by the services led by Christ Episcopal Church in San Antonio, where we live. I have tried to reproduce some of the content of these moving and sad services for those who might need prayer and comfort.

Opening Prayer:

God of All Mercy: We come before you this day with heavy hearts amidst the pain and loss of a great natural disaster that has impacted our lives and loved ones. We lift our hearts in unison, seeking your wisdom, comfort, and consolation in our loss. Hear our common prayers.

Leader: God of all grace, whose love is deeper than mighty waters and stronger than any storm, we beseech you to hear our prayers for those impacted by the floods in the Hill Country and elsewhere in Texas.

People: Lord, hear our prayers that your love may be shown to all who mourn or who are impacted by the floods.

Leader: For the families who have lost loved ones or who wait anxiously for news of their beloved,

People: Lord, hear our Prayers for comfort.

Leader: For those who have lost their lives or have been injured in the storm,

People: Lord, hear our prayer for your amazing grace.

Leader: For families who have been disrupted, separated, or whose homes have been destroyed or lost,

People: Lord, hear our prayer for mercy and peace amid the storms of life.

Leader: For those who are sheltering, grieving, or searching in despair,

People: Lord, give them a sense of your presence amid pain, grief, and loss.

Leader: For those who have lost their lives in this disaster,

People: Receive them by your grace, and give comfort to those they left behind to mourn their loss.

Leader: For first responders, volunteers, and state, federal, and local officials who must work under tremendous pressure and exhaustion.

People: Lord, give them your strength.

Leader: For the many churches in the communities impacted and beyond who seek to provide refuge and help for the suffering,

People: Lord, give them success in their mission.

Leader: For the gift of life eternal and the hope of the resurrection,

People: Lord, give the families impacted hope amid their pain.

Leader: O Lord of the wind and storm, who brings order out of chaos and peace out of despair,

People: Be with those impacted and help restore the homes, families, and communities affected by this great tragedy.

Leader: For all, let the love of Christ who shares in our humanity, our failures, and our suffering,

People: Allow us to sense your presence in our pain and loss.

Closing Prayers:

Oh God, whose property it is always to have mercy upon your servants, we humbly and earnestly pray for the souls of those whom this disaster has taken from us. We give you thanks for our memories of the departed, trusting that you have delivered them from all suffering and pain, and brought them into your presence and the eternal life that only you can bestow. We look forward in hope to seeing them and being rejoined with them through the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and souls in the love of God, and the blessing of God, Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always.

Amen