In putting out the "oratio imperata" (Obligatory Prayer) Dec. 5, Tagle also told the faithful to brace for Typhoon Hagupit without panicking and by monitoring government warnings and advisories. He also said they should prepare with prayer.

"Let us humble ourselves and seek the mercy and compassion of God at this time of impending peril and destruction," he wrote in a statement.

Philippine forecasters said Hagupit would have maximum sustained winds of 210 km per hour and gusts reaching 250. Their latest predictions late Dec. 5 included storm surges topping four metres. Officials said thousands had so far evacuated from coastal areas.

Last year Typhoon Haiyan was the strongest cyclone on record, leaving more than 7,300 dead or missing and destroying 1.1 million houses.

Many blamed climate change and the effects of global warming for the storm's devastating impact. They said the Earth's rising temperatures made the ocean warmer, which in turn fueled this storm and other destructive cyclones.

Tagle's prayer starts with gratitude for God's "wonders of creation." But it also says, "We acknowledge our sins against (God) and the rest of creation. We have not been good stewards of (God's) creation. We turn to (God), our loving Father and beg forgiveness for our sins."

"Calm the storm and keep us all safe and far from harm these perilous days and always," said Tagle.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma also put out an "oratio imperata" related to Hagupit, which is expected to pass over Cebu province.