Prayer for the Haitians
This morning I’d like to share a touching message I received from Ted Taylor, Director of Pastoral Care at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, the hospital that 9 years ago was first to host our programs.
Friends, today I share with you words from the prayer liturgy observed here at RWJ – a multi-faith service of prayer for Haiti and her people. This portion of the service focuses on prayers for those assisting in the relief efforts. I hope you too will join in prayerful service and support for our Haitian neighbors.
Today, we pray for ourselves and all those with power to help —those individuals, congregations, communities and nations entrusted with the resources needed to relieve suffering, sustain life and rebuild the property that has been destroyed.
Sufi poetry can express a sense of our connection with each other, our shared pain and our shared humanity.
Let sorrowful longing dwell in your heart,
never give up, never losing hope.
The Beloved says, “The broken ones are My darlings.”
Crush your heart, be broken.
(10th century Sufi poet Shaikh Abu Saeed Abil Kheir, trans. Vraje Abramian)
Let us pray for eyes that are open to see as God sees,
ears that are open to truly hear,
hearts that are open to love,
and lives that respond to our neighbor
and the least of these who are members of the human family.