Litany for the Gulf

One of my favorite blogs is Wounded BIrd, written by Grandmère Mimi. It's always good; she is a smart and funny lady who pays attention. I get a clearer sense there and in the New Orleans TimesPicayune of what is going on the Gulf, because it comes from folks who have their boots in the slick. Preoccupied this week with my Mom's hospitalization, I only got around to visiting the blog this morning. Grandmère posted this a couple of days ago:

A prayer written by the Rev. Albert Kennington as aresponsive reading for a congregation. It may be equally useful as afamily devotion, a devotion for a Bible study or prayer group, or simplyas a personal devotion.

The Officiant and People sayresponsively

Glorify the Lord, O springs of water,seas, and streams,
O whales and all that move in the waters.
Allbirds of the air, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt himforever.
Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous,
praisehim and highly exalt him for ever.
You that are holy and humble ofheart, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him forever.
Thevoice of the LORD is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; theLORD is upon the mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is a powerfulvoice;
the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.
O Lord, howmanifold are your works!
in wisdom you have made them all;
theearth is full of your creatures.
Yonder is the great and wide sea
withits living things too many to number,
creatures both small andgreat,
There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan,
whichyou have made for the sport of it.
You give it to them; they gatherit;
you open you hand, and they are filled with good things.
Yousend forth your Spirit, and they are created;
and so you renew theface of the earth.

For the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, thatthey may be kept pure as you created them.
Lord, have mercy.

Forall who work on the waters that they be safe from harm; for all whohave been injured, for all who have died, and for all who mourn.
Lord,have mercy.

For all who support their livelihood and the care oftheir families and communities from the harvest of the waters,
Lord,have mercy.

For all who live along these waters and for theirlivelihood, provide places of rest and recreation for others,
Lord,have mercy.

For all who explore the depths of the earth, evenunder the sea, for the resources of your creation for the common good,
Lord,have mercy.

For all creatures of your making and for thewonderful mysteries of natural habitats you have willed for them, thatthey be protected from all dangers,
Lord, have mercy.

For allin authority over us, in the government of our nation, our states, andcommunities, that they may serve your will for the common good, and noother,
Lord, have mercy.

For all who work to preserve us fromthe dangers of this present calamity, that they may be blessed withsuccess and kept safe from all harm,
Lord, have mercy.

For ourdeliverance from fear, anxiety, and anger,
Lord, have mercy.

Foryour will to be done on earth as it is in heaven,
Lord, hear ourprayer.

Mercifully hear us, O Lord our God.
Let our cry cometo you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the HolySpirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen

Thank you, Grandmère, for sharing this.