A Prayer for Beirut ~ The Opening of Hearts Before the Icon of Our Lady of Elige

How are we to pray,

for the devastated city of Beirut,

O Mother of God?

Words fail,
Lady of Elige.

Thoughts can't comprehend

the loss,

the fear,

the despair.

And so, O Mother of the Land of Cedars,

to hold in our hearts

humbly,

simply,

earnestly ~

the children,

the rescuers,

the parents frenzied,

the searchers,

the homeless,

the relatives awaiting news,

the elderly,

the confounded,

the wandering,

the hungry and the thirsty,

the failed leaders,

the generous share-rs,

the wounded,

the mourners,

the doctors and nurses,

the devastated,

impoverished,

speechless,

fearful ones,

the overwhelmed,

exhausted,

devastated ones,

the coronavirus sick,

the ones who 

not knowing what else to do,

shovel,

sweep,

even care for animals.

Give gifts of courage,

Maronite Mother of God ~

hope restored,

endurance,

comfort, 

solidarity

and resolve.