A Prayer In the Time of Wildfires

(From a post by Chinook Winds Region, BC, United Church of Canada)

Each hour, the news is hard: whole communities from the Northwest Territories including Yellowknife, N’dilo, Depth, Ingraham Trail, Enterprise, Fort Smith, Hay River, K’atl’odeeche, Kakis, Jean Marie River and in BC North Shuswap, West Kelowna, West Kelowna First Nation and Kelowna residents have had to evacuate or are on alert. From the files, comes this prayer written by former United Church of Canada Moderator Richard Bott a few summers ago. It remains relevant today. #UCCan

Jesus,
when your disciples were terrified
at the strength of the storm,
worried that their boat might capsize,
you saw their fear, and said to the wind,
"Be still.”

Holy One,
we are terrified, again,
but this time by the strength of fire in the forests,
fire in the bush;
worried that its force will displace and destroy
all the creatures of the land and the air,
including us.
We ask that you would speak your words of peace,
that cool temperatures,
steady rains,
and still air,
would calm these blazes.

We pray for the safety of all who are on the fire lines,
and for wisdom for those making the decisions.

We pray for cool heads in the face of evacuation,
and open doors of hospitality
for all who need shelter.

We pray for the health and well-being
of all your world, Creator—
help us to be sustainers and good stewards
of the land and all that lives in it.
Help us to change,
for the healing of all creation.

May it be so.
May it be so.
— Very Rev. Richard Bott. Originally posted on Facebook.