 |
| The water meadows between Hutton Conyers and Nunwick at lunch time today |
As the floods subside a little in the upper Dales our thoughts are with the people of Boroughbridge, York and Durham as the water rushes seawards tonight. Our sympathy and prayers are also with everyone who has suffered flooding in Teesdale, Swaledale, Wensleydale, Nidderdale, Wharfedale, at Catterick and all over the area yesterday and today - farmers, homeowners and businesses.
A Payer as Night Falls
As the water gathers force and travels with awesome speed,
Be swift to protect life and limb, O Lord.
As the water engulfs, unwelcomed, our land and dwellings,
Invade our hearts and spirits to keep us uplifted.
Shaken, yet hopeful, may we know there is an end
To flooding and a new beginning as the torrent subsides.
Emerging in the cold silence that follows the spate
May we see not just devastation, silt and tears,
But courage, resourcefulness and true grit.
Grant us to know, in full measure, pressed down
And running over, Your sustaining, warming presence
This night, in the morning, at noon and always.
Amen.
You can follow the expected progress of the flood water on the Environmental Agency's website. The graphs for each river give the anticipated height of the water at specific times throughout the next 12 hours.
You certainly had an adventure yesterday, Janet. Thank God you, and all the others involved, stayed safe. I have limited experience with floods in the UK (though I did get caught right in the middle - literally - of the Cumbria floods in Nov 2009).
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with you and all the others, known & unknown to me, caught in the midst.
Where is your prayer from?
Yes, indeed, Simon, thank you. The flood water comes up so quickly in the Dales. I just wrote the prayer tonight, looking out of my study window towards the moors above Nidderdale and knowing there are lots of very wet people around but hoping no one has been injured or is too cold.
ReplyDelete