Hurricane Gonzalo: Bishop of Bermuda’s Prayer

October 16, 2014

bishop nicholas dillThe Bishop of Bermuda The Rt Reverend Nicholas Dill has extended his prayers and thoughts to the people of Bermuda as we get ready for Hurricane Gonzalo to pass over us.

Bishop Dill said, “To all the people of Bermuda, as you gather in your homes tonight, I want to invite you to join hands in praying for one another, for peace and safety that Almighty God would in his mercy spare us, yet.

“Pray that the one who calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee would divert this storm away from our shores. Pray for those at sea, the homeless, those in places of vulnerability, those who live alone. We ask God’s mercy to bless all who care, protect and provide.

“The Book of James tells us that Elijah was a man like us, and he prayed fervently that it would not rain,and he prayed again that the rain would come. Join me in praying fervently that Hurricane Gonzalvo would pass us by, that we would come through this storm as one community, praising and thanking God for his deliverance.

“Let us pray together

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread forgive us our trespasses we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For This it’s e kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen”

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray The Lord my soul to keep. May angels watch me through the night, and lead me towards the morning light. Amen”

“God is our strength and refuge. A very present help in times of trouble therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved to the heart of the sea, though it’s waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling…….. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46)

“May the peace of God which passes understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. And may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us all, now and ever more, Amen.

“With love Bishop Nick on behalf of the Anglican Church of Bermuda.”

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  1. Swiss Tony says:

    Praying to the same god that created this monster and sent it our way.. Yeah.. Makes complete sense.

    Be safe everyone.

  2. I like the prayer and even moreso that it has been published, some pray every day and throughout the day, while others forget there is a God out there, and at last check He is still open for communication. It is however a great thing to see when the clergy steps up to the plate publicly, because most of them is like the politicians in my view, only hear from them publicly when there is some form of real crisis, gone are the days were we heard their voices out among us publicly like in the so called good old day’s.

    They need to remember they are God’s voice piece in the earth and should be the conscience of all politicians, who use to seek out their guidance.

  3. Mark O says:

    Thank you Bishop Nick. I hope these prayers ring true! God bless Bermuda through this storm.

    • Family Man says:

      But isn’t God sending the storm to Bermuda? Or is he powerless against the forces of nature?

      • Arthur-Atlanta says:

        There is a book called the bible. You should study (not just read) it someday. In it you will find a few places in the bible where it says that death and destruction is the work of satan so please give credit where credit is due.

        • Truth Hurts says:

          In your book, didn’t God create Satan?

        • Arthur sounds like you have not picked up your Book in some time, this book is the World’s best seller of all times and will always be the most controversial book ever written.

          This same Book tell’s of many stories were God Himself brought destruction upon those who stood against Him, and so while you are partially right, your statement is not altogether correct, I think at last time I checked we have to remember that what so ever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

          Bermuda has for sometime now over the last ten years sowed some very interesting seeds to her own people, and just every now and then we need a reminder that we don’t run this show, we are just passer’s by that have been given a task in life to fulfill destiny.

          So when God born us to live in Bermuda, He gave it to us as our own to take care of, and when you have governments who continually exploit it’s own people and make lawless decisions that are not in God’s plan, a pay day comes after while, the old Bermudian use to say, you will get your bath when the water gets hot, well I think the water out there my friend is about to show it’s force, and no one on Island has the power to stop the wind or the force of the waters.

          This is a act of nature they say, I say this is a act of God, nothing takes Him by surprise, but let us be mindful of our duty as He does His, we are to pray for those who are in harms way but also pray that a lesson will be learned, that in all that happens through the boisterous winds and waves, that we can become still enough to hear that still small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to each and everyone of us.

          For the Theologians WHO MAY WANT TO DEBATE if this is a act of God or Satan, just remember that nothing happens with out God’s approval first, so even Satan don’t have the power to do unless first allowed by God, which takes you back to what so ever a man sowed he shall also reap.

  4. Ace girl says:

    Thank you Bishop Dill. It is so kind of you to take the trouble to pray for, and with Bermuda at this time of uncertainty. You are truly a man of God.

  5. Christopher James says:

    Are we praying to the same God who sent this storm in the first place??????? Just checking.

    • Arthur-Atlanta says:

      There is a book called the bible. If you study it (not just read it) . In it you will find a few places in the bible where it says that death and destruction is the work of satan the ruler of this world. So please give credit where credit is due.

      • Christopher James says:

        There are a few places in the Bible where it says you should stone your children to death if they misbehave. Also that you can abuse your slaves as long as you don’t actually kill them.

        Great book apparently…

        • Kenneth says:

          Satan is a liar. And so are you Christopher.
          Read the Bible for yourself and stop believing everything you hear.

        • Truth says:

          MATT 7:9 -11

          9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

  6. Glenda says:

    Amen! May Gods Blessings continue to flow!, Thank you Bernews!

  7. No Laughing Matter says:

    God’s Not Dead.

    • Family Man says:

      Thor lives!!

      You’re going to hear him throw his hammer across the skies later today.

  8. Erica Scott says:

    Praying with you. Thank you for your prayers

  9. Jamaine Tucker says:

    Bishop Dill, I thank God for your leadership in national counsel, fervent praye lifer, and the relationship shared with Bernews. Many of us living abroad, find a sense of community connection through communication mediums like Bernews. Let’s continue to pray!

  10. Christopher James says:

    Superstitious mumbo jumbo will get us nowhere. Praying is the same as doing nothing. Something many folks are good at apparently.

  11. Jamaine Tucker says:

    Bishop Dill, I thank God for your leadership in national counsel, fervent prayer life, and relationship shared with Bernews. Many of us living abroad, find a sense of community-connection through communication mediums like Bernews. Let’s continue to pray!

  12. thank you foe yoe kaand thowts…plesentries rahhht baik atchah!

  13. GOD says:

    Hi there…don’t worry Bermuda…but don’t take unnecessary chances…remember…common sense is better than no sense at all…watch over that flock Bishop Dill….

  14. Bishop Nick says:

    Thank you to all who have responded, especially to those who are skeptical. The issues you raise are important. The question is – are you saying that there is no God and therefore don’t pray, or there is a God who will just do as he wants and don’t pray, or that there may be a God but you don’t think prayer works? From my perspective, I believe God has invited us to pray- indeed to pray audaciously and incessantly. He doesn’t promise that he will take away the storms of life when we do (Psalm 46 which I quoted from earlier is written in the midst of a cataclysmic event) . God isn’t like a cosmic slot machine – pop in a prayer and out comes a result that we want – but rather he has invited us to pray, he has the power to act and indeed may do so in the way we ask. His power to act is extraordinary on his own, but also in response to people’s prayers. But if he doesn’t act in that way, he is undoubtedly doing something else. And one of the most wonderful gifts he gives is the gift of peace in the midst of the storm –‘Be still and know that I am God’(Psalm 46) –as we pray in our anxiety ‘the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. ‘ (Philippians 4:6,7) Some say prayer is an excuse for inaction – but when the Bermuda Fire Service pray it isn’t that God should do their job (although if he averts the storm he will have done so) but that they might have strength, safety and ability to do theirs. Even for those who have no faith, there is ample research out there to show that prayer is good for you. It connects you to others and to a world ‘out there’ and it gives peace. When I look and see people’s fear and the frantic panic that can so quickly overtake us that is surely a precious thing. So again, I invite you to pray.

  15. GOD1ST says:

    MESSAGE TO THE HURRICANE

    To the one Eshu,
    Who carries a heavy bag of
    Messages to the other orisha.
    Who we greet after Oludumare
    But before all others.
    Who does not distort our praises
    Or modify our pleas.
    To the one Eshu,
    Of strong will and character;
    Who makes our will and character ever stronger
    through his guidance.
    Eshu, may you deliver this message to
    Your compatriot and friend,
    The feminine warrior
    Who Europeans call out of name
    whenever they affix a male appellation
    to any storm,
    to any hurricane,
    to any fast-moving wind.
    Eshu, may you deliver this message to Oya:

    Oya, the load-bearer
    The mover of thoughts
    And equally, the bringer of destruction.
    Oya, the raging storm!
    The one who knocks down,
    So that the old can be renewed.
    Oya, the riser of tides,
    The bringer of mountainous-waves,
    The breaker of palm-trees.
    Oya, the thrower of coconuts,
    shaker of leaves, and
    crusher of rock!
    Oya, who brings families closer.
    Who strikes fear in the heart of
    those who are normally fearless!
    You, Oya, who has the power to show
    That what can be bought
    Can be taken away in an instant!
    And who has the power to show
    That what cannot be bought
    Can be taken away in an instant!

    Oya, my ears hear you on the path.
    Oya, my skin feels you approaching nearer.
    Oya, my eyes can see your preparatory work.

    Oya, only one who is foolhardy believes
    That you can be kept from
    Where you wish to enter.
    All homes are open to you!
    All need you, and
    All fear you.

    Oya, you are welcome
    and appreciated.
    For you show that in each of us
    There is a calm and a storm.
    You show that the calm shall prevail
    Under the majority of moons,
    And the storm shall wash free what is inside us
    That proves impossible to dislodge
    without great effort.
    For this I thank you, Oya.

    Oya, you are welcome
    and appreciated.
    For you maintain the necessary order.
    Your hand is heavy
    And your hand is also light.
    For this I thank you, Oya.

    Oya, you are welcome
    and appreciated.
    For you allow us to focus—
    even momentarily—on
    what is important.
    You distract us from
    The pleasures that are fleeting.
    For this I thank you, Oya.

    May you keep the home you enter safe.
    May you teach the lesson you come to teach
    without need of excessive destruction.
    May you introduce yourself,
    Gain our acquaintance,
    Then rejoin the path.

    Àṣẹ!