Prayers for Haiti

​-The following information is presented in English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole.
-La siguiente información se presenta en inglés, español, francés y criollo haitiano.
-Les informations suivantes sont présentées en anglais, espagnol, français et créole haïtien.
-Enfòmasyon ki annapre yo prezante ann Anglè, Panyòl, Fransè ak Kreyòl Ayisyen.

Prayer for Haiti from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Eternal God, send forth your Sprit to encourage and strengthen the people of Haiti in these difficult times. We pray especially for those impacted by the recent earthquake. Encourage and strengthen those who help and support others. In your mercy, receive the souls of those who have died; comfort their families and loved ones. Surround with your presence the sick and suffering. Aid the work of those who still search and rescue. Empower the medical and aid workers and all who labor to heal.
 
Likewise, inspire and empower the resolve of the nations and peoples of the world to be your instruments of help and healing. Stir up the might of your love and compassion among the nations to rally resources and stay the course until the humanitarian job is accomplished. 
 
Lastly, enfold and uphold the people of Haiti—from the youngest newly born to the oldest among us—in the arms of your love and the strength of your might. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.
 
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church
 
Oración del Obispo Presidente Michael Curry por Haití
Dios eterno, envía tu Espíritu para animar y fortalecer al pueblo de Haití en estos tiempos difíciles. Oramos en especial por los afectados por el reciente terremoto. Alienta y vigoriza a los que ayudan y auxilian a los demás. Recibe en tu misericordia las almas de los que han muerto. Consuela a sus familias y a sus seres queridos. Rodea con tu presencia a los enfermos y a los que sufren. Apoya a los que aún realizan labores de búsqueda y rescate. Da tu poder a los médicos, a los socorristas y a todos los que ayudan a sanar.
 
Asimismo, inspira y fortalece la determinación de las naciones y pueblos del mundo para que sean tus instrumentos de ayuda y sanación. Despierta la fuerza de tu amor y de tu compasión entre las naciones para que reúnan recursos y mantengan el rumbo hasta que se cumpla la labor humanitaria.
 
Por último, envuelve y sostén al pueblo de Haití - desde el más recién nacido hasta el más anciano - en los brazos de tu amor y en la fuerza de tu poder. Te lo pedimos en nombre de Jesucristo nuestro Señor, amén.
 
El Reverendísimo Michael Bruce Curry
Obispo presidente y primado
La Iglesia Episcopal
 
Prière pour Haïti de l'évêque président Michael Curry
Dieu éternel, envoie ton Esprit pour encourager et renforcer le peuple d'Haïti en ces temps difficiles. Nous prions en particulier pour ceux qui ont été touchés par le récent tremblement de terre. Encourage et renforce ceux qui aident et soutiennent les autres. Dans ta miséricorde, reçois les âmes de ceux qui sont morts ; réconforte leurs familles et leurs proches. Entoure de ta présence les malades et les souffrants. Aide le travail de ceux qui cherchent et secourent encore. Donne du pouvoir aux médecins, aux secouristes et à tous ceux qui s'efforcent de guérir.
 
De même, inspirez et renforcez la détermination des nations et des peuples du monde à être vos instruments d'aide et de guérison. Suscite la puissance de ton amour et de ta compassion parmi les nations afin de rallier les ressources et de maintenir le cap jusqu'à ce que le travail humanitaire soit accompli.
 
Enfin, enveloppe et soutiens le peuple d'Haïti - du plus jeune nouveau-né au plus âgé d'entre nous - dans les bras de ton amour et la force de ta puissance. Nous t'en prions au nom de Jésus-Christ notre Seigneur, amen.
 
Le très révérend Michael Bruce Curry
Évêque président et primat
Église épiscopale
 
Priyè pou Ayiti de Evèk prezidan Michael Curry
 
Bondye Letènèl, voye Lespri ou pou ankouraje epi ranfòse pèp Dayiti nan moman difisil sa yo. Nou priye espesyalman pou sila yo moun tranbleman detè resan an te enpakte. Ankouraje epi ranfòse moun ki ede epi sipòte zòt yo. Nan mizerikòd ou, resevwa nanm moun ki mouri yo; konfòte fanmi yo ak moun pwòch yo. Antoure ak prezans ou moun ki malad epi k ap soufri. Ede travay moun sou teren an k ap fouye epi fè sovtaj. Bay travayè medikal ak asistans yo fòs, ansanm ak tout moun k ap eseye refè.
 
Epitou, enspire epi ranfòse detèminasyon nasyon ak pèp nan lemond pou yo ka tounen enstriman pou w bay èd ak delivrans. Deklanche pisans lanmou ak konpasyon ou pami nasyon yo pou rasanble resous epi rete sou menm chimen an jiskaske djòb asistans imanitè a fini. 
 
Pou fini, anvlope epi pwoteje pèp ayisyen—depi pi piti tibebe a ki fenk fèt jiska granmoun ki gen plis laj pami nou—nan bra lanmou ou ak nan fòs pisans ou. Se sa nou priye onon Jezi Krist Senyè nou, amèn.
 
Trè reveran Michael Bruce Curry
Evèk prezidan ak prima
Egliz episkopal

A Litany for Haiti from Sisters of St. Margaret
God of infinite mercy, who calls forth order out of chaos, peace out of turmoil, calm out of fear, we pray for Haiti and her people, saying, We pray to you, O God; Bon Dieu, écoutez notre prière.

We pray for Haiti, land of mountains and sea, where the very earth has shuddered and shifted. We pray for her people, shattered yet courageous, frightened yet bold, destitute, and longing for relief. May their voice be heard. May their need be met. We pray to you, O God. Bon Dieu, écoutez notre prière.

We pray for the injured, the broken and the lost, for the hungry and homeless. We pray to you, O God. Bon Dieu, écoutez notre prière.

We pray for healers, doctors, nurses, clergy, religious, and all who tend those wounded in body, mind, or spirit. May their hands be steady. May their resolve be sure. May their work be filled with grace. We pray to you, O God. Bon Dieu, écoutez notre prière.

We pray for those who have died. May they never be forgotten. We pray to you, O God. Bon Dieu, écoutez notre prière.

We pray for the days to come, the future, and the promise of what lies ahead. May new roads be paved; new industry be born; the land restored, farming reestablished; new fortunes rise; and new friendships sustained. We pray to you, O God. Bon Dieu, écoutez notre prière.

Abiding God, your light is ever-present with us, piercing through the darkness of tragedy. We give you thanks for the bright beacon of hope found when your people join together for the welfare of all. Make clear to the world your vision of hope, dignity, and life abundant set forth for Haiti from the beginning of creation. In your light all shall be revealed and all shall be made whole. Amen.

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Dear People and Friends of the Diocese of New Jersey,
Weep with those who weep…Romans 12:15
Today (8/14/2021) Haiti, which has suffered so deeply in so many ways for so many years, was devastated by a 7.2 magnitude Earthquake, greater than the 7.0 Earthquake of 2010 which killed more than 200,000 people.  So far reported casualties from today’s earthquake have been in the hundreds, but many more deaths and injuries are expected to be reported.

Fr. Robin Pierre, Regional Director of Haitian Ministry for the Diocese of New Jersey, who serves out of St. Elizabeth’s Church in Elizabeth, wrote the following to me:
I share the suffering of my brothers and sisters in the South Department, and especially in Cayes and St. Louis in the South. I fear that the intensity of the human and material loss in Haiti may once again be unimaginable. I and the Haitian Ministry of the Diocese of New Jersey are prepared to do all we can to help the people of Haiti recover. Lord have mercy on Haiti. I humbly ask you, my dear Bishop to hold Haiti in your prayer at this sorrowful time.

In response to the cataclysmic disaster unfolding in Haiti, and in response to Fr. Pierre’s request, I call on all churches and people of the Diocese of New Jersey to offer special prayers for the people of Haiti tomorrow and in the days to come.  Pray for those who have died.  Pray for those who have been injured.  Pray for those who have lost their homes and shelter.  Pray for those whose loved ones have been killed or injured.  Pray for our brothers and sisters of the Diocese of Haiti which is part of our own Province II.  Pray for the government of Haiti.  Pray for all who called to respond to immediate search, rescue and recovery efforts.  Pray for all, including the people of the Diocese of New Jersey and The Episcopal Church, who will be called to assist Haiti in the days, weeks, months and years to come.

I was Rector of St. Paul’s Church in Delray Beach, Florida when the 2010 Earthquake struck Haiti.  I developed the Litany which appears below for that occasion.  Sadly, it has again become an appropriate liturgy to pray. I commend it for your use.

We will be monitoring the situation and be seeking ways in which we as a diocesan community can respond meaningfully to this catastrophe. God bless you and God hold I in mercy the people of Haiti.

Faithfully yours in Christ.        
The Right Reverend William H. Stokes
12th Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey  

Litany in Response to a Natural Disaster Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth,
Have mercy upon us.
 Holy and Mighty, redeemer of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
 Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy upon us.
 Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, One God
Have mercy upon us.
 Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, neither reward us according to our sins.  Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, whom you have redeemed by your cross and passion, and by your mercy preserve us forever.
Spare us, good Lord. 
 From all natural disasters: from hurricanes, fires, tornados earthquakes, blizzards and floods,
Good Lord, deliver us 
 From all disease and sickness, from famine and violence,
Good Lord, deliver us 
 In all times of sorrow; in all times of joy; in the hour of death and at the day of judgment,
Good Lord, deliver us
 Hear our prayers, O Christ our God
O Christ, hear us. 
 For the repose of the souls of those who have died in this disaster, that your holy angels may welcome them into Paradise,
O Christ, hear us. 
 Console all who grieve: those whose loved ones have died, whose families are torn; whose homes have been destroyed, whose possessions have been ruined, who are now unemployed,
O Christ, hear us. 
 Heal those who suffer from injury and illness, emotional and spiritual distress; give them hope and encouragement to meet the days ahead,
O Christ, hear us.
 Give food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty,
O Christ, hear us 
 Give rest to weary and peace to the restless,
O Christ, hear us 
 Give strength to the government of Haiti, to the World Community and all others in authority and leadership; grant them wisdom and power to act in accordance with your will,
O Christ, hear us.
 Bless the bishops, clergy and people of the Haiti who strive to do your service in the midst of their own grief and pain; give them fortitude to serve as you would serve,
O Christ, hear us.
 Grant your people grace to witness to your word; to open their hearts in love; and to give generously from their abundance, that they may bring forth the fruits of your Spirit,
O Christ, hear us. 
 Forgive us Lord, for all negligence and hardheartedness, for inequities and injustices that have resulted in bitterness and strife, in injury and death,
O Christ, hear us.
 In the midst of incomprehensible loss, grant us eyes that see, ears that hear and hands that work so that we may discern how you would have us respond,
O Christ, hear us.
 We give you thanks, Lord God for all agencies and individuals who assist in relief efforts; continue in them the good work you have begun, through them your presence is made known,
We thank you O, Lord
 You are our refuge and strength,
Our very present help in trouble
 In you Lord is our Hope,
And we shall never hope in vain
 Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever.
 
A Prayer for the Victims of the Earthquake in Haiti
Holy God, source of life, lover of souls, out of the depths we call to you; in the face of incomprehensible anguish and sorrow, we lift the cries of our distress and implore you to show mercy upon those who are suffering from the destruction of the earthquake in Haiti.  We pray for those who have died and for their loved ones who grieve, asking you to hold them in the arms of your love; we pray for those who have been injured in body, mind and spirit and ask you to heal them; we pray for those who are homeless and wandering, for families torn asunder and ask you to shelter them. Strengthen the hands and hearts of those who assist in relief efforts and grant us all firm resolve to stand with our neighbors who are in need, to love them and to offer our generous support of them in this their time of trouble; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen