(Prayer by Most Rev. Oscar V. Cruz, DD, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan)
OH, GOD OUR FATHER:
IN FAITH WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PATERNAL CARE OVER US, YOUR SONS, DAUGHTERS AND CHILDREN. IN HOPE WE TRUST IN YOUR DIVINE PROVIDENCE OF GIVING US WISDOM AND COURAGE AS WE FACE THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE. IN LOVE WE INVOKE YOUR HELP AND GUIDANCE DURING THESE DIFFICULT DAYS OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IN OUR DEAR COUNTRY.
OURS IS A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR ONCE AGAIN REMINDING US THAT OURS IS AN IMPERFECT WORLD, THAT HEAVEN IS NOT ON EARTH AND THAT NATURE EVERY NOW AND THEN TELLS US NOT TO ABUSE HER. OURS TOO IS A PRAYER OF REPENTANCE FOR CALLING UPON YOU WHEN WE ARE IN NEED AND DESPERATION BUT FORGETTING YOU IN FAVORABLE TIMES AND PLEASING OCCASIONS. OURS AS WELL IS A PRAYER OF PETITION AS WE SAY:
GRANT ETERNAL PEACE TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES. EMBRACE THE CHILDREN WHO DIED IN THEIR INNOCENCE. HELP THOSE WHO ARE HURT AND CURE THOSE WHO ARE SICK.
ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO SUFFER THE DESTRUCTION OF THEIR HOMES AND PROPERTIES, AND TO ONCE AGAIN STAND UP AND REBUILD THEIR FUTURE.
BLESS ALL THOSE WHO EXTEND THEIR HELPING HANDS TO THOSE IN NEED OF FOOD, SHELTER AND CLOTHING, WHO SHARE THEIR TIME, TALENTS AND RESOURCES WITH OTHERS.
INSPIRE MORE PEOPLE TO BE MEN AND WOMEN FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS, CONVINCED THAT THE MORE THEY ARE FOR OTHERS, THE TALLER THEY STAND BEFORE YOU.
SPARE US PLEASE FROM OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS AND DEVASTATIONS IF THIS BE ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL AND FOR OUR OWN SPIRITUAL GOOD AND GROWTH.
AMEN AND AMEN.
