Dear Reader,

As the fires continue to rage across Los Angeles and Southern California, my heart weeps for the tremendous loss and displacement, and for the profound sense of uncertainty of not knowing what is happening and what the future holds in store.

And yet, in the midst of disaster, I'm reminded that I'm never powerless. I'm also never alone.

Remembering this, I asked myself the question in meditation this morning:

What is mine to do?

One of the things revealed to me was to pray.

In the spirit of community and coming together in a consciousness of love and support, I offer you the following prayer that you can use and share with anyone you feel called.

Prayer in the Midst of Disaster​
by Joselito Laudencia

In this moment, I take a breath, to bring calm and to center my own being.

In the fullness of my breath, I remind myself that right where I am, and right where each and every person is, there is a Divine Presence in the midst of all things.

A Divine Presence that guides.

A Divine Presence that comforts.

A Divine Presence that provides.

A Divine Presence that brings people together.

A Divine Presence that heals.

A Divine Presence that moves the Spirit within each person.

A Divine Presence that loves.

A Divine Presence that is always available, ever active, and continually responds.

I know that who I am, and who each and every person is, is an expression of this Divine Presence, an opening, an inlet and an outlet, to the love that is known by so many names, a love that shows up in so many forms…

…as a helping hand

…as a first responder

…as a comforting text

…as a heartfelt hug

…as a listening ear

…as a needed blanket

…as a warm meal.

Knowing that I am a center of divine activity, I open my heart, to pray with profound love, for all those impacted and moving through the upheavals of life.

I pray for comfort, guidance and safety for those who are evacuating, displaced, and experiencing deep loss.

I pray for strength, courage and care for all the first responders.

I pray for guided hands and divine support for all the health and medical professionals attending to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health of our communities.

I pray for right knowing, heart and direction for all those leading the efforts in moving and coordinating resources.

I pray for those who are called to volunteer, give, and assist in whatever ways they are sparked to be of service and generosity.

I pray for peace of heart and calm of mind, for steadiness of being, for centering, and for grounding.

And I pray for my own guidance and clarity, as I listen to my own heart, asking myself:

• Who am I called to be?
• How am I called to serve?
• What is mine to do?

I surrender in complete trust, knowing that my prayers and the inquiries of my heart are being answered, and revealed in their right and perfect time.

I give thanks for this knowing, for the divine love and presence that always says yes to the prayer of my heart.

I release my prayer, in full confidence of the divine activity and presence of love, and I simply let it be.

And So It Is. Amen.

Sending You All My Love and Abundant Blessings,

Joselito