The following service is from the Catholic Rural Life magazine, July, 1986 pgs 13-14; adapted for worship. The reflection may not only be on the psalms but on other scripture such as Habakkuk 3:17-19a:

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.

Or Rom 8:22-26:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. 25 But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

and this quote:

"God is our support. God is our security. Nothing else is. Being secure and supported doesn’t mean we’re not vulnerable. God supports us, but he doesn’t protect us any more than he protects the hungry of the world. He doesn’t stop the boss from laying us off, nor does he stop the bill-collector from dunning us, nor does he stay the departing spouse. But if we let him, he hold us together when outrage strikes. If we root and ground ourselves in love, we’ll begin to learn the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge" – George Sheridan, "Taproot" in "Seeds," August 1984.

or if you prefer literary quotes:

"And the dry years would come and sometimes there would only be seven or eight inches of rain. "The land dried up and the grasses headed out miserably a few inches high and great bare scabby places appeared in the valley. The live oaks got a crusty look and the cattle listlessly nibbled dry twigs. Then the farmers and the ranchers would be filled with disgust for the Salinas Valley. The cows would grow thin and sometimes starve to death. People would have to haul water in barrels to their farms just for drinking. Some families would sell out for nearly nothing and move away. And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years, they lost all memory of the dry years. It was always that way." – John Steinbeck, "East of Eden."

Prayer Service for the Loss of the Farm
Traditionally family and friends gather on the vigil of a funeral to mourn and pray at the loss of a member of the community. The evening before a family moves from their farm can also be a special time of prayer. It is a time for close friends to gather and mourn, pray, support, and send forth the family to a new future. It provides neighbors and parishioners with an opportunity to say in prayer and ritual what they hold deep in their hearts and cannot find words to express. These prayers are written to represent what the family experienced during the loss of their farm. It is probably not appropriate for them to lead these prayers themselves at this sensitive time.

Leader
Heavenly Father, we gather here this evening to honor the (family name) family, (individual names); they have been our friends and neighbors for many years. They have contributed to our lives and our community by their hard work, good example and virtuous living. We thank you for their presence with us. We ask you to send our Spirit upon them this evening to give them courage as they take a new step in the journey of their lives. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen.

Mother’s Prayer (to be prayed by a woman in the group who represents all mother’s undergoing the stress of the loss of a farm):

I’ve been asking for a miracle, Lord. And it hasn’t happened yet. Do you even hear me? Perhaps more than the miracle, I need courage. Right now I’m scared and I know Frank is scared, too, I worry about him. He doesn’t look well. He’s been working so hard. I’ll be glad when we move and settle down again. Did I really say that? I can’t let Frank know that I just want to move and get it over with. What I’m concerned about most is keeping my family together, Lord. Help us to get through these next few days.

Father’s Prayer (to be prayed by a man who represents all farmers worried about losing their farms):

God, I didn’t think it would happen to me. But I got my notice, too, and time is running out. You’ve got to help me through this. I have to be strong for my family. But I feel like I’m falling apart. Why did you let this happen to me? I worked so hard all these years and they’re taking everything away from me.

Child’s Prayer (to be prayed by a child, representing all farm children experiencing the loss of their farm):

God, maybe you can answer me. Will they sell my swing set, too? When I asked Dad he yelled at me. When I said something to Mom, she just turned away. But I want to know what is happening. Everyone looks so sad. I hear them talk about moving. Dad is getting things ready for the sale. People look at us funny in town. The neighbors talk to Mom about helping us. But no one talks to me. Can you give me some answers, God?

Neighbor’s Prayer
My neighbors are losing their farm. How can I tell them how awful I feel? How can I tell them that I will miss them? I don’t know what to say. People keep asking me about them. I know the signs all too well from watching others go through it. Yesterday I took them a pie - I was met with embarrassed silence. I felt like I was intruding. I couldn’t even say, "How are you doing?" When I call, Sara says she has to go. John can’t get Roger to even give him the time of day. When I see Sara in town I want to say, "I’m sorry," but the words get stuck in my throat. They will leave and I will wish I had said something. Just like when the Bradleys left. I felt so helpless ...

Reader: Psalm 142 - You are My Refuge

Reflection
(The leader can comment on the tone of the psalm, a person in distress describes the condition to God and then expresses hope in God. The coming months, even years, will be a time for this family to realize its utter dependency on God. Perhaps those present could be able to help complete the mother’s, father’s, and child’s prayers to express greater confidence in God to be with them in the future.)

Action
A gift of soil from the family’s farm can be presented to them in a vase or glass container. Also a book of psalms can be given to the family or each member of the family to rely on in prayer in the days to come.

Blessing
(The leader goes to each member of the family and places his/her hands upon each one’s head in silence. Then prays the following blessing.)

Lord Jesus, as you prepared to leave your disciples you told them, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Peace I give to you, my peace I leave with you. A peace that the world cannot give. This is my gift to you." We ask you to touch this family with your gift of peace. Lead them and guide them as they travel away from here. As they have gifted us with their presence, send others into their lives as gifts for them in their need. May they be your light to each other in their new home. May they take your love with them to their new neighborhood and share it abundantly with their new friends and neighbors. When they are lonely, remind them of the love we have shared here and continue to have for them. Help us to grow in this love and friendship even though we may be separated by distance. We ask you to be with them always and make your presence felt in their hearts. We ask this in Your name. Amen.

Sign of Peace

Refreshments

Another Resource
A publication called "Gentle Rain on Parched Earth" may be helpful. It includes a service entitled "Liturgy for Leaving a Property" (for any number of reasons including rural recession, with special awareness of properties being owned and worked by successive generations under one family). Published by United Education in Australia, it is a compilation of worship resources for rural settings. It is edited by Philip Liebelt and Noel Nicholls. Material in the book may be reproduced for use in individual worship services or for use in local congregations only.