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PRAYERS O Holy One By Chaplain Dick Millspaugh BCC Colleagues in Transition By Chaplain Jerry L. Carter BCC A Prayer for Staff By Chaplain Dick Millspaugh BCC Birthday Prayer By Chaplain Jerry L. Carter BCC A Prayer for Chaplains By Chaplain Dick Millspaugh BCC A Prayer for Staff Following Hurricane Ike By Chaplain W.L. "Bill" Bross BCC Prayer in Response to Natural Diaster By Chaplain David Johnson BCC A Prayer for Lives Touched by Asia's Tsunami By the staff chaplains and CPE interns of Bayside Medical Center, Springfield, MA All prayers may be adapted for use in worship with acknowledgement given to the author and to the Association of Professional Chaplains. O HOLY ONE By Dick Millspaugh, BCC Holy One O Holy One We come to you in shock and disbelief, We are numbed when death takes the innocent. We are stunned by those whose intentions are evil. We are angered by deliberate attempts to destroy life. In the face of these events, un-chosen and unwanted, We feel our own helplessness and vulnerability. O Holy One We come to you in shock; we are stunned. We ask you to welcome home those who have died That they may suffer no more. In our numbness help us to be present with those who also grieve, As together we feel the agony of unanticipated loss. Help us hold close those who are also wounded in body, mind or spirit, Until our screams become sobs, our sobs become tears, and our tears ease. Help us whose lives are now forever changed. O Holy One Hear our outrage and our pain. We need you. In the face of evil, let us not turn to despair. In the face of hatred, protect us from becoming cynical or bitter. In the face of outrageous sacrilege against you and all of human life, Lift us beyond our need for revenge. O Holy One Over time give us wisdom and make forgiveness a possibility; Over time help us again commit ourselves to join you To build a world where liberty and justice prevail for all. With such clear evidence as to the outcome of hatred, Transform our need for vengeance to a willingness to become peacemakers. Help us avoid stereotypes and generalizations That only foster greater evils upon your peoples. Help us...O Holy One. We pray for all who grieve in this time of distress. Help us seek you. Help us dare to maintain hope. Guide us in your wisdom. Strengthen us in your love. Deliver us from evil. Amen. [back to top] Colleagues in Transition By Chaplain Jerry L. Carter MDiv BCC O Lord, new colleagues came seeking… Experience Understanding Knowledge Growth Credentials and Opportunities in ministry Through Your Guidance Lord They discovered: Personal insight Theological struggle and light Understanding of self The meaning of being a helper and being one helped. Through the intensity of personal growth they walked; An amazing journey into self An adventure into the world of pain and suffering, A hike through hardship that touched their souls. In their process, Lord, they touched the lives of so many… Patients and families, staff Through sorrow and celebration They walked alongside others comforting with the comfort which they had received Encouraging even when needing encouragement Watching with equal wonder the drawing of first breath, And the silent final sigh of life’s breadth, They advanced, Student…Colleague, Board Certified When they needed to grow, and stretch, they felt a Heavenly call to go: To other places in God’s work, To finish their course, They left, leaving something of their valuable contribution with us, Yet taking with them a new mind, What they came seeking they did find …for their good and ours. Colleagues and friends being more than they dreamed, When they cast their canoe in this stream! We are blessed to have shared in their walk, Our prayer for them, “Godspeed” is more than talk! [back to top] A Prayer for Staff By Chaplain Dick Millspaugh BCC Good and Gracious God, Bless our staff as we give ourselves To your service this day; As we give ourselves To join others in suffering, To search with others for understanding, To hope with others for cure and when Cure is not possible, for healing. Bless our staff when we are faced With those whose pain has closed their spirits; When we grow weary and our work is yet undone. Bless our staff with grace to serve With wisdom for complex concerns, With love for those who are difficult to love And with a commitment to practice Great self care. Bless us with the knowledge that your grace Is sufficient to our tasks. Remind us that we are valued not so much for what we do But rather because it is your nature to love unconditionally. Amen. [back to top] Birthday Prayer By Chaplain Jerry L. Carter BCC May your spirit keep the freedom of a butterfly in spring. Have you noticed how the spring loves both sunshine and rain? The air we breathe has a sweeter floral fragrance, Even the Birds chime their joyful refrain, In the spring, Life seems to take a lighter, quicker stance, On this your birthday may you enjoy natures spring dance, May your heart be filled always with the joy of simple things, A smile given and received, A greeting strengthened with a warm handshake, A loved ones embrace, A child’s game of chase, The satisfaction that you give more than your take, On this your birthday may you have a heart that sings, May your SPIRIT claim the freshness of the new laid morning dew May each day give you an adventure that is fresh and new, May you always have work for your hands to do, And some idle time your body and mind to renew, On this your birthday may you realize the importance of being YOU. Your sacred soul his gift, your sacred mission other souls to lift. [back to top]   A PRAYER FOR CHAPLAINS By Dick Millspaugh BCC O Holy One, When disaster strikes by air, land or sea Strengthen me. When shock numbs, stuns, or overcomes me Hold me. When the flames of anger threaten me Calm me. When retaliation seems my only choice Speak to me of grace. When I would be god to save all Humble me. Creator of the air, land and sea: Strengthen me, that I may calm others. Ground me, that I may be peace for others. Empower me, that I may act where I am. Humble me, that I may know my need Is always, always to live in You. Amen. [back to top]   Prayer for Staff Following Hurricane Ike By W.L. "Bill" Bross BCC Gracious God, we thank you for your presence and your care, both through the storm and now in recovery. Help us to be strengthened through this experience as a community, and help us to become reacquainted with what it means to be a neighbor to those in need. Thank you for our colleagues within this hospital and for the special feeling of community that we share. We ask that you grant us strength, courage and peace. Amen. published 12/2008 [back to top]

A PRAYER IN  RESPONSE TO NATURAL DISASTER By David Johnson BCC

Gracious Creator God, we forget sometimes that we are fragile beings living within a fragile world. In our country and our world, we are continually reminded of that reality as natural disasters destroy property and take lives. After earthquakes, tsunamis and droughts we have responded with compassion, concern, volunteering and funding. Disasters have no boundaries and do not differentiate between the just and unjust. As we reel from the overwhelming nature of these disasters give us the faith to call upon your power, give us the commitment to reach out to others so far away, and give those who suffer the will to recover. As we read about and watch the reports of the destruction may we never grow callous to the need and suffering of our fellow inhabitants of our fragile world.  Amen!

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O Compassionate God, the Holy beyond all names and cultures. We pray for all those whose lives have been devastated by the recent disaster across the Indian Ocean, from Indonesia, to Sri Lanka, to Africa and beyond.

We remember those who have lost their lives and hold them in our hearts. We ask for comfort for those families and friends now facing the tragic loss of their loved ones. Be with them now and in the days ahead in their hurting, grief and sorrow. Bring them consolation as only you can.

For the survivors, we pray they will receive the medical care they need to heal from their injuries. As they face the possibility of further devastation from disease and hunger, protect them from harm and enable them to regain and maintain their health. Bring them hope as only you can.

For those who have lost their homes and possessions and now find themselves displaced, we pray that they may find courage, strength and patience throughout this difficult time. Now separated from all that was once familiar, we pray they might receive those things they need to help preserve and sustain their lives.

For all those awaiting news of what has happened to their loved ones, friends and colleagues, we pray that they may soon receive news. Waiting is difficult, particularly when we do not understand why something like this has happened. Sustain them, and everyone touched by this horrible tragedy.

We pray the world community to be moved to offer aid and support to help rebuild homes and restore lives. Keep our hearts open to the development needs and support our sisters and brothers so desperately in need.

We pray for all those rescue workers and persons offering support. We pray for them as they reach out to others and place themselves in harm's way. We are grateful for their ability and willingness to reach out in this time of crisis. Bless them and keep them safe.

And lastly, move us all to offer support and aid as we are able. All these things we pray through your many names. Amen.

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Chaplains in specialized ministry settings often find themselves offering comfort and helping others seek meaning in the midst of tragedy and devastation of natural disasters. This prayer was written on Dec. 29, 2004 following the devastating Tsunami in Asia creating floods and earthquakes throughout that region. It was written by the staff chaplains and CPE interns in the Spiritual Services Department at the Bayside Medical Center in Springfield, MA.