God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46: 1-3 NRSV)

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to study in southern India for part of a summer. Each night our group would hold a vespers service which we would open by reading Psalm 46.

These were the first words that entered my heart when the tsunami devastated so many of the places we had visited. I thought about them again when the Hurricane Katrina hit.

And I lift them up again for you today as our prayers and good thoughts go out to the people of Asia in another moment of suffering.

Want to help? Visit Church World Service. CSW is the ecumenical relief agency that works across the globe saving lives and promoting justice. There might never have been a time in their history when help was needed more.