Prayers and Worship Resources

Pray without ceasing.

1st Thessalonians 5:17 encourages us to pray continually. Following a disaster, our best response is first to seek God's presence on behalf of those in need. 

Worship resources offer you and your congregation ways to pray, sing, and together invite the love of God to lead our response as we seek to reflect the hope that is found in Christ. 

Prayers and Litanies

Prayers in Time of Disaster and Trouble  Earthquake Flooding Hurricane Tornadoes Additional prayers from Theology and Worship (PDF) Prayers following violence Mass shooting in Orlando Bombing in Brussels Terror attacks in Paris, Beirut and Bagdad Gun violence (Umpqua College shooting) Refugee crisis (Europe and Syria) Hiroshima Baltimore Ferguson Charlottesville Parkland, FL Las Vegas Sandy Hook Christchurch, New Zealand Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport Worship resources following public violence in American Cities Additional prayers from Theology and Worship Prayers for rebuilding Prayer for rebuilding a burned church Litany for Rebuilding Community Litany for God’s People in Times of Distress Prayers for refugees Prayer request for Syria Prayer after restriction of refugees Prayer for the people of Aleppo Prayer for Syrian refugees Prayer for unaccompanied children

 Hymns

335,609  -  (“I Cried to God”) , hymn related to gun violence by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (October, 2015) We Would be Ever More Faithful, hymn following Nov. 2015 Paris terror attacks by Scott L. Barton. Suggested use for Christ the King or Advent 1 Sunday A Prayer for Our Children, hymn related to gun violence by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette God of Creation, hymn related to hurricanes by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette God We've Known Such Grief and Anger, by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette God, You Wrap Your Love Around Us, Blanket Sunday hymn We See the Waters, hymn related to floods and storms by Clay Gunter Whatever You Do, by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette Who is My Neighbor?, hymn inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette A Little Bit of Salt, hymn related to refugees by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Other Worship Resources

Faith in the Midst of Community Disaster: a Bible study on Disaster Preparedness, by Rev. Joan LeRoy Abell.  Our faith informs how we deal with disaster—not only strengthening and giving hope; but also shaping how we help others rebuild and experience that hope. Download and print. (24 pages)

God With Us:  Worship and Christian Education Resources for Congregational Use After a Local Disaster – curriculum with emphasis on the needs of children, youth, and families immediately after a disaster.  Download and print.

• Service of Pastoral Care following the destruction of a home, prepared by the Office of Theology and Worship

  World Refugee Day worship resources