Oratio Imperata – Prayer in Times of Calamities

Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence that sustains us in our needs, and for your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation. We have not been good stewards of nature. We have confused Your command to subdue the earth.

The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoings and now we reap the harvest of our abuse & indifference. Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption and other calamities occur in increasing number & intensity.

We turn to You our loving Father and beg forgiveness for our sins. We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard-earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made. We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation and generous neighbors to those in need.

Amen.