The Boston Globe reports on the devastation in Brazil in mid-January 2011: "Last week, a series of flash floods and mudslides struck the Serrana mountain region near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, destroying buildings roads and more. Nearly 14,000 people are now homeless, 759 are reported to have been killed and another 400 remain missing in this, Brazil's worst-ever natural disaster. As soldiers make their way to remote towns with aid and transportation, Brazil's government has said it would accelerate efforts to build up a nationwide disaster-prevention and early-warning system.

Contemplating the pictures from this disaster, we pray this news:

We are saddened by the sight of a toppled church surrounded by its innards in a devastated town outside Rio de Janeiro;
Hear our prayers, O God.

We are distressed at the site of hillsides that have been washed away by the mud and at the loss of ground-holding trees and plants;
Hear our prayers, O God.

We give thanks for the caring and courageous rescue workers, searching for victims of the mudslides;
Hear our prayers O God.

Our hearts go out to the survivors who have had to wade through waist-high water in city streets to get to where they need to go;
Hear our prayers, O God.

We identify with those whose homes were destroyed and those whose cars remain buried in sand and rubble;
Hear our prayers, O God.

We weep for the children who have lost their parents, who were injured, and who now must stay in shelters;
Hear our prayers, O God.

We feel for those returning to their damaged homes to gather up whatever scraps of the past they can;
Hear our prayers, O God.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of those who died, whose bodies lie in the rows of caskets outside a cemetery;
Hear our prayers, O God.

We pray for the safety and well-being of Leao, the faithful dog who sat next to the grave of his human companion and showed the world what love and loyalty mean;
Hear our prayers, O God.

We give thanks for the volunteers at relief stations and for all those making donations, who are signs of your caring presence in this disaster.
Hear our prayers, O God.


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