Cyclone Gabrielle – Prayers for affected schools

Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand on the 12th of February 2023. The cyclone caused widespread destruction in the North Island of New Zealand, particularly in the Hawke’s Bay. A number of Anglican Schools in the region have been affected. Below are prayers you might like to include in your daily prayer schedule prepared especially for the Anglican School network of schools by Rev. Alison Stewart, Huntley School, and Rev. John Goodwin, King’s School, – both current board members of the Anglican Schools Office Trust Board.

Daily Prayers for our Anglican brothers and sisters in schools in Hawkes Bay

Week One

Monday
Lord of creation, we pray for the community of Hukarere, in the Esk Valley in Napier, as
they deal with loss and tragedy in the wake of natural disasters.
May the aid they need be generous;
and their sense of community be strong;
May staff, students and parents
feel the comfort of your loving embrace,
and their best hopes for the future be reawakened.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

E te Atua
homai ki a mātou
tōu māramatanga
tōu rangimārie
tōu kaha me tōu aroha
mō tēnei rā
Āmine.

Holy One, you are our comfort and strength
in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos.
Surround us now with your grace and peace
through storm or earthquake, fire or flood. Amen

By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen,
sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild,
and fill us with the hope of your new creation;
through You, our rock and redeemer. Amen

Tuesday
Dear God,
Look with mercy on the students, staff, parents, and carers of St Matthew’s School in
Hastings. Give to their community the resources they need and bless those who help
them.

God of healing and mercy, we pray that your presence would be felt by those who are
grieving, who are injured, who have lost their school, homes, and livelihoods.
We pray for wisdom and safety for those who are responding to the people in need and
the many challenges left in the wake of the event.
We pray for our church, that it may be a witness to your compassion and care for all who
suffer. God, you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Wednesday
Dear God, we pray for the community of Te Aute, that they may be blessed and in turn be
a blessing to others. May they and their whanau be resourced to recover from the effects
of flood and storm; and may their learning be deep.
This we ask in the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Leader: E te Atua aroha
All: Whakarongo mai kit ta matou inoi.
Leader: For the safety and well-being of the young and elderly in the wake of this disaster,
we pray…
Leader: E te Atua aroha
All: Whakarongo mai kit ta matou inoi.
For a clear sense of your Spirit guiding us through the challenges we pray
Leader: E te Atua aroha
All: Whakarongo mai kit ta matou inoi.
For hope in the darkest night we pray
Leader: E te Atua aroha
All: Whakarongo mai kit ta matou inoi.

Thursday
Dear God, we pray for students and staff of Hereworth School who have been impacted by
the cyclone: for those who have lost homes, crops, and orchards; for those who have
come to the edge of despair.
Renew with your Spirit those whose hopes are dim, and bring Easter life to Good Friday
people.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

We give thanks for so many people who served others in a time of crisis –
for the emergency service crews who rescued those in danger and attended to the injured;
for the many volunteers who embraced the hungry and the grieving with food and love.
We pray for those scarred by loss – for the injured, and those who mourn. May they feel
encouraged by the prayers of many, and by the warmth of your embrace O Lord.

Mā te Atue me te wāhi
ngoro tātou e tiaki e
manaaki. Āmine.

Friday
We bring before you O God the communities of Woodford House in Havelock North. We
give thanks for the safety of their staff and students and ask a blessing on their
community. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen

May the one who stilled the storm give them calm;
may he enter their lives with the message of Peace;
and may the Spirit come upon them to bring them to new life. Amen

Living God, our refuge and strength, even the wind and sea obey your voice. Put the wind
back in its place, and say to the sea: Peace! Be still!
Fill us with great faith, and save us from the surging water,
so that we may tell the good news of your saving love; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Week 2

Monday
We bring before you in prayer the community of Lindisfarne College in Hastings. May they
be equal to the challenges before them and find opportunities to be thankful. Amen

But I shall sing of your strength,
Extol your mercy at dawn,
For you are my fortress,
My refuge in time of trouble.
PSALM 59:17

Tuesday
With our fellow students across NZ we pray for the staff and students of Iona College.
Guide and guard them and uphold them in the faith. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
In all things and in all times, help us to remember that even when life seems dark and
stormy, you are in the boat with us, guiding us to safety. (Fr James Martin SJ)

Wednesday
Gracious god, we pray for all those suffering from the ravages of natural disasters.

We pray for the safety and protection of all school children affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.
We ask that you provide comfort and strength to those who have lost homes, loved ones,
and belongings. We pray that you guide and bless the efforts of rescue workers and
volunteers as they work to provide aid and support to those in need. We also ask for your
mercy and kindness in easing the burden of those who are struggling with the aftermath of
the cyclone. May your grace and love be with them during this difficult time, and may they
find hope and healing in the days ahead.
Amen.

Thursday
For those whose families are scattered we pray…
God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For those who need medications, food, or water, we pray…
God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For leaders and first responders in times of tragedy, we pray
God of love,
Hear our prayer.

Gracious God, we pray for all those suffering from the ravages of natural disasters.
Grant them encouragement, strength, fortitude, patience and insight as they struggle with
their many losses — material, physical, emotional, and personal — and begin to pick up
the pieces and create a new future for themselves, their families, and their community.
Be for them a beacon of unwavering hope and confidence that there can and will be a
better day.

Friday
For volunteers who counsel, advise, and support victims of disaster, we pray
Et te atua atawhai
Whakarongo mai ki ta matou inoi
For those whose places of worship have been destroyed, we pray…
Et te atua atawhai
Whakarongo mai ki ta matou inoi
For those anxious about the future we pray to you O Lord.
Et te atua atawhai
Whakarongo mai ki ta matou inoi

Surround them with your love and the love and compassion of others that they might be
sustained in this time of trouble. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen