A prayer for health and healing in Japan

God of the universe. God of time and space. We pause today to thank you for life, for health, and for all the beauty that you have bestowed upon Creation. The days of our lives are but a fleeting moment in the expansive time of your ongoing creation. Lift our eyes from the immediacy of this moment, so that we can be aware of the lives of those upon whose shoulders we stand, and the lives of those who will be inheriting this world from us. Forgive us for the ways in which our collective lifestyle trespasses upon the space and time of others. We are particularly mindful of the harm and risks the nuclear industry has placed upon the rural communities, the vulnerable, and future generations. Ten years have passed since the disaster in Fukushima. Many who live in rural areas continue to be placed at risk for the sake of the energy needs of the cities. As the Japanese government plans to release tons of highly toxic radioactive waste-water into the ocean by the year 2023, we have to ask ourselves how will future generations judge this generation? We ask for your guidance and wisdom to make the right decisions to preserve the health of this planet. We pray that you will strengthen our resolve to live humbly on this earth. We pray for the health of all of those who have been exposed to the dangers of radiation. We want to be good stewards of your wisdom. May your healing touch be upon all of your creation.

Jeffrey Mensendiek serves with J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo, Japan.