O God,

We lift up those affected

by Hurricanes Helene and Milton,

in their loss and grief.

We know that when the dove returned to Noah,

bearing an olive leaf in her mouth,

the promise was that the storm had passed

and healing could begin.

But the promise was not

that wholeness and healing were now fully restored.

And so as we pray for recent victims in their recovery,

we pray also for all who have suffered from storm and disaster

not so large, not so recent, no longer newsworthy,

yet whose victims still wait for restoration to be complete,

even after many years.

We pray for places in deep distress,

mindful of refugees and hostages and open hostilities

in the Middle East and Ukraine,

even as we pray for the many

who continue to suffer from violence and conflict,

whose conditions and circumstances we no longer remember,

of whom we are no longer reminded in the mass media,

but whose pain and grief is no less real.

We forget, but you, O God, never do.

We move on to the next thing,

but you are the God

who will wait alongside forever,

even as you move through us to act.

Move through us, O God, stir us from complacency,

and make us instruments of your peace and restoration,

not only for those in the headlines,

but for all who have a place in your heart.

In Jesus’ name we pray this. Amen.