Prayers and Liturgy:

Below is a special prayer for the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene (September 27th) here in WNC, written by our own Rev. Julie Hester: 

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Prayer for the Second Anniversary of Helene
September 27, 2026

 

Almighty God,
You have always been near when waters rage and foam.
You moved over the waters of chaos at creation.
You brought your people safely through the sea.
You spoke through your prophets: “Fear not, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”
You spoke to the wind, and calmed the storm, and conquered death forever.
You, O God, are always with us.

We remember today how you were with us two years ago.
As the wind blew and rivers rose, you were near.
In the fear and panic, in every kind of rescue, even in death and destruction,
you were near, O God.
Wherever isolation turned to community, wherever disbelief turned to determination,
Wherever grief and gratitude lived side-by-side, you were near.
You, O God, are always with us.

There is much to grieve, still, and much left to do.
For the thousands still living without adequate shelter, we pray.
       Help us cut through the politics and red tape of funding.
       Give us the will and the means to keep rebuilding.
For the job and property losses that compound even now, we pray.
       Bring energy and imagination to our region,
       and to all those seeking to live and work here.
For the lost and injured, and the traumatized, we pray.
       Comfort those who mourn, strengthen those in need,
       bring peace to all whose hearts beat faster whenever a new storm nears.
You, O God, are always with us.

 

As our prayers of lament and loss continue, so too do our prayers of thanksgiving.
For all the dollars raised and shared for recovery, we give you thanks.
For the thousands of volunteers who keep showing up, we give you thanks.
For the creativity of churches and agencies working together to rebuild, we give you thanks.
For the damaged churches in our presbytery returning to their buildings, renewed for worship
and service, we give you thanks.
For the resilient mountain pride and spirit that draws neighbors in need together, we give you
thanks.
For hope, and courage, and empathy, and love we wouldn’t know without Helene, we give you
thanks, O God.
You, O God, are always with us.

When we look back and remember,
when we look around and see where we are today,

when we look ahead to your good future,
keep our eyes on you, our refuge and strength.
You, O God, are always with us.

 

We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

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Below are additional links and prayer resources for natural disasters, hurricanes, and some especially written for the one-year anniversary of Helene. These are from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, local pastors, and other sources: