# Prayer for those affected by the bush fires

> The Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford, has prepared the following prayer for those affected by the bush fires. Please feel free to use this prayer in church services and for personal reflection.

16 April 2018 · Features

Canonical: https://insights1.uca.org.au/articles/prayer-for-those-affected-by-the-bush-fires/

**The Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford, has prepared the following prayer for those affected by the bush fires. Please feel free to use this prayer in church services and for personal reflection.**

God of life and death,
 our prayers today are where our hearts and minds
 have been during these last days
 and where they have so often been this season;
 with those whose lives have been touched
 in differing ways by the bushfires.

We pray for all those who have been affected;
 and we give thanks that no one has been killed.
 We pray for those who have been injured and survived:
 for physical and emotional trauma;
 for the fear and helplessness experienced;
 for the anger and frustration at the injustice
 of unavoidable disaster;

*Leader: Let there be peace*

*People: Let there be hope*

*Together: Let there be life*

We pray for those who have lost their home and property
 or are facing such loss:
 for those who have been forced to leave
 their memories and belongings;
 for the fear & disorientation of all involved;
 Heal them from their nightmare memories.

*L: Let there be peace*

*P: Let there be hope*

*T: Let there be life*

We pray for all involved in fighting the fire:
 for our Rural Fire Service and their leadership
 and all those we know and those we do not know;
 we pray for courage in a place of fear;
 for new strength in the face of exhaustion;
 for people who have travelled distances
 in order to resource those who experience fatigue;

*L: Let there be peace*

*P: Let there be hope*

*T: Let there be life*

We pray for all who offer support and care at this time:
 for the various agencies, churches and community groups;
 for disaster response chaplains;
 for government services as they are activated;
 for friends and neighbours, known and unknown;
 for aiding recovery and providing a shoulder to cry on;
 we give thanks too,
 for the generosity of many, in small and large ways,
 to those who are struggling.

*L: Let there be peace*

*P: Let there be hope*

*T: Let there be life*

We are mindful of the days, weeks and months ahead,
 For many dangerous days yet to come,
 for seasons of recovery and rebuilding,
 of homes, farms, lives and communities;
 we pray for strength, courage, patience and hope
 as grieving continues,
 as frustrations rise
 and the inevitable new changes occur.

*L: Let there be peace*

*P: Let there be hope*

*T: Let there be life*

Keep us faithful and alert in our praying and our action.

**Amen.**

Filed under: belief-matters