Dear Friends in Christ,
Many of us are grieving for the people killed and wounded in the recent terrorist strike at the airport in Kabul, including 13 members of the US military, 10 of whom were based at Camp Pendleton on the northern end of our diocese. As families mourn their loved ones, and as many people in Afghanistan continue to try to leave the country, our hearts are torn by the plight of all who suffer.
At the same time, Hurricane Ida has made landfall in Louisiana on the sixteenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which caused suffering that is etched in many of our hearts.
This is a time that calls for prayer and action. I ask you to join me in prayer for the families of those killed, for members of the military who are still serving in Afghanistan, for Afghan refugees and those who are desperate to leave, for those who are threatened by the hurricane on the Gulf Coast, and for all who work to make decisions and to ease the suffering of so many. At the end of this message, you will find ways to help.
First, I ask you once again to join me in prayer, in an expanded version of the prayers I sent last week:
I ask your prayers for those who were killed in the terrorist bombing in Kabul, including members of the US military: Johanny Rosario Pichardo; Nicole L. Gee; Darin T. Hoover; Hunter Lopez; Daegan W. Page; Humberto A. Sanchez; David L. Espinoza; Jared M. Schmitz; Rylee J. McCollum; Dylan R. Merola; Kareem M. Nakoui; Maxton W. Soviak; and Ryan C. Knauss. May God receive them into the arms of God’s mercy, and grant grace, strength, and comfort to those who loved them and mourn for them.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
I ask your prayers for members of the military and other Americans who are still in harm’s way in Afghanistan, heroically laboring to maintain peace and evacuate people to safety, that God will grant them safety and enable them to give security to others.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
I ask your prayers for people in Afghanistan who are desperate to escape the danger to their lives, including those who helped the government and the American military, and women and girls whose lives and safety are at risk. Pray for safety and swift, merciful evacuation of all refugees who want to leave.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
I ask your prayers for all who are threatened by natural disasters, especially the people of the Gulf Coast as they are threatened by Hurricane Ida, and the people of Haiti who are suffering from earthquake and storm. Pray for the restoration of the necessities of daily life and for safety and comfort for all who are afflicted.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
I ask your prayers for those who continue to suffer from the COVID crisis, for those who are ill, and for those who care for them. Pray for the safety of school children and teachers starting a new school year, and pray for expanded vaccinations and an end to this pandemic.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
I ask your prayers for veterans of the military who have served in Afghanistan, whose hearts are torn by the situation there. Pray for comfort, strength, and blessing to those who have served.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
I ask your prayers for our church, that we may provide light in the darkness of a suffering world, and that we may continue to proclaim the good news of Christ to a world overwhelmed by bad news. Christ, be with us and help us be your hands and feet in this world.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
