“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar; the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice; the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” —Psalm 46:1-7
Written by Cassie Chee, Temporary Director of Faith Formation
God our refuge, we ask that you would cool the lands of Lāhainā and cover them with your blessings of rain.
Our hearts ache for those who have yet to be found. We pray for your guidance and strength to be with those still searching for their loved ones. As the number of lives lost increases daily so does our grief. We are devastated by lives cut too short and too soon. God you know each by name and love each tenderly. May your comforting presence surround those who have lost family and friends.
God we also hurt knowing the losses of home, losses of livelihood. We pray for all of the families who survived and now face each unpredictable day. We pray that you would restore their wealth and their homes. Jesus be a balm for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wounds that have been opened.
God we pray especially for the Kānaka ‘ōiwi families and families that have called Lāhaina home for generations. Give them strength, courage, and hope as they rebuild their lives.
For all of the first responders, organizations, and community members in recovery we pray that you would provide them all that they need and more. Give them sharpness to think and respond quickly. Give them soft places to lay when they need to rest. Give them water when they need to drink. Give them arms to hold them when they need to weep. We pray that you would pour love over them continually.
God be a shield against greedy investors and realtors. Make fertile ground for local and Kānaka families who have been in Lāhainā for generations.
El Roi, God who sees we pray for clarity. We pray for families and friends to be reunited; for Kānaka to be reunited with their ‘āina, for electricity to be restored. God we pray for information to be passed clearly and with integrity. Let anything not rooted in love stop. Let the voices and leaders on the ground be rooted in aloha and strengthened by your Spirit.
God who provides we thank you for the ways that people near and far have answered the kahea to kāko‘o and kōkua Maui. While we are heavy for all that has been lost we praise you for all that has been saved. Just as you have been faithful we know that you will continue to be faithful to the people and ‘āina of Lāhainā.
Hold us when we donʻt know what we need.
Still us when we swirl in grief.
Focus us to respond as those in Lāhainā ask us to.
‘Amene.
Alongside our prayers, here are ways to kōkua Maui at this time, in partnership with our Hawai‘i Conference and wider United Church of Christ denomination:
HCUCC News: “Responding to Wildfires On Our Islands”
(Donate: https://bit.ly/hcuccrelief)
UCC News: “Amid wildfires devastation, UCC makes appeal for Hawaii”
(Donate: https://support.ucc.org/hawaii-wildfires)
