Louisiana’s ‘Prayer for Hurricane Season’

As Acadiana and South Louisiana get ready to deal with what appears to soon be Hurricane Francine, it's probably a good time to recite this "Prayer For Hurricane Season".

Prayer For Hurricane Season

Tropical Storm Francine formed in the Gulf of Mexico on September 9, 2024, and is expected to intensify into a Category 1 hurricane as it approaches the Gulf Coast.

It is forecast to make landfall on Wednesday, likely impacting Texas and Louisiana with strong winds, heavy rain, and potential flash flooding.

Areas from Cameron, Louisiana, to Galveston, Texas, are under Hurricane Watches and Storm Surge Watches. Louisiana, in particular, is preparing for up to 8 inches of rain in some areas

The below "Prayer For Hurricane Season" was written by Bishop Schexnayder of Lafayette after Hurricane Anthony hit Louisiana in 1957.

"Prayer for Hurricane Season" is a common practice in many communities, especially in regions frequently impacted by tropical storms and hurricanes.

These prayers are typically offered by various Christian denominations, particularly in coastal areas like Louisiana, Texas, and Florida.

The prayers seek protection from storms, guidance for those preparing for the season, and strength for responders and communities affected by natural disasters.

Prayer For Hurricane Season

"O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude. You are still the Master of the land and sea.

We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control: the Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, and overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster.

During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time.

O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son on our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a stormless eternity awaits us. Amen."