Natural disasters are terrible events that show how small human life is in the face of the grandeur of nature. In these situations of helplessness, despair and desolation, prayer is a profound consolation that brings us back to the path of hope.
A few days ago, heavy storms in southeastern Spain unleashed terrible floods, leaving hundreds of victims and thousands of people affected. Solidarity has been proportional to the tragedy, as people from all over the country have poured in to assist in many different ways. The severity has been such that even Pope Francis has called for a joint prayer for Valencia and other affected towns.
Those who are geographically distant, however, can often feel a strong sense of helplessness because they want to help but do not know how to do so. That is where prayer comes in: the way we can draw our hearts close to the good Jesus, place all our trust in him that the light will shine again, and entrust to him the help and accompaniment of all those who suffer.
Today we share this prayer, so that we may unite our faith in the form of these words of encouragement, with which to send encouragement and hope to the people who are suffering so much right now.
Heavenly Father, creator of the universe,
Today, we ask for your intercession for our brothers and sisters who have suffered due to
to the DANA catastrophe in Spain.
Stay close to them in their moments of distress.
Comfort all those whose homes have been devastated.
Comfort and strengthen all those who have lost loved ones.
Fill with your peace those who wait in fear and uncertainty.
We pray for a spirit of perseverance and togetherness, especially for those who
who have emerged from natural disasters as caregivers and victims;
may you be a shining light of hope as they begin the journey towards
recovery.
And help us to stand firm with them in solidarity and love.
We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Source: CRS Spanish (adapted)
