Prayers for Idyllwild

Prayers are requested for the safety and well-being of the people of Idyllwild who are in danger of having their homes and businesses destroyed in the Mountain fire. The Episcopal Church of St. Hugh of Lincoln located in Fern Valley is in particular need of intercessions due to its close proximity to the fire.

Update: Friday, July 19 at 12 p.m.

The firefighters have been able to protect Idyllwild. No parishioners have lost homes, although some homes in the community have been lost. Evacuation orders for the area surrounding the church continue.

Green Cafe (center of town in Idyllwild) webcam:http://www.greencafe.com/idyllwild/webcam/hwy243/webcam-medium.html

The Green Cafe website is informative too: http://www.greencafe.com

A Litany for God’s People in the Midst of Smoke, Fire and Ashes
By the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, 2007

God the Father.
Have mercy on us.

God the Son.
Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on us.

That your church may be a community of hospitality, care and welcome to all who seek refuge,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That those who are the weakest and the least empowered may not be forgotten,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That those who govern and order our communities may master the crisis before them, remembering that they are called to be servants,
We entreat you, O Lord.

For all the clergy of our diocese as they offer the hope of new life in Jesus as a healing balm upon our scorched souls,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we might be neighbors to those whom we meet upon weary roads and that we might allow others to care for us in our own distress,
We entreat you, O Lord.

For those who have been our heroes: the volunteers, police officers, sheriffs deputies, fire fighters, doctors, nurses, and all who rush into harm’s way to assist in evacuation and property protection,
We entreat you, O Lord.

For those who have been injured, those who breathe with difficulty, the suffering and the sick,
We entreat you, O Lord.

For those who have died, especially the victims of the fires,
We entreat you, O Lord.

Remembering the heart of God is a heart of compassion, let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Silence. The people may add their own petitions.

Almighty God, we give thanks that you are able to raise new life out of the ashes of destruction. Gently guide us to be builders of a new creation in the midst of smoke, fire, and ashes. For, it is out of the cross that we are shown the way of life, through Christ our Lord. Amen.