To Pray For the Victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines

Today we pray especially for those killed or injured in the devastating storm named Typhoon Haiyan.  Reports are that as many as 10,000 people have died, and widespread damage has occurred with thousands of homes, businesses, and buildings completely destroyed. Have a look at the before and after photographs of one city to get a sense of the destructive power of this storm. We’ve even sent some Marines in to help.

During times like these we wonder “what good can come from this?” We cannot know, but in truth, only God knows. We must ponder this truth as we mourn the losses of our neighbors as a result of this natural disaster. But we must do more than that. We must help out our neighbors materially as well as spiritually.

What we do now is lift one another up in prayer, and give alms to help our brethren in need. If we have to give up something in order to help our fellows, even better. For,

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

In times like these I turn to the Psalms,

a passage from Psalm 57

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by.

I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me,
he will put to shame those who trample on me. Selah
God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

RELATED

Caritas Philippines leader calls typhoon devastation “unimaginable.”