Mid-Week Message - Prayers Needed

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."  Psalm 46:1-3

As I pondered over what to write this week, several things came to mind.  However, none seemed to carry the gravity of the needs of the people that are coping with tragedy and disaster.  

Hurricane Harvey left wide-spread destruction.  The city of Rockport, Texas was devastated.  The citizens there face having to totally rebuild not only their homes, but their entire city.  As the storm moved it left behind it a swath of ruin from either wind or flooding.  We know the city of Houston experienced historic flooding.  Some are still awaiting rescue.  A friend of mine in Orange, Texas was living with and caring for his father.  His father's house flooded and they had to be evacuated.  I can only imagine the trauma through reading the accounts of those living this nightmare.  

Now a new hurricane is bearing down on the state of Florida.  This category 5 storm is poised to be another historic destroyer.  Already I am receiving prayer requests from Puerto Rico and the surrounding islands, as well as friends in southern Florida that are doing their best to prepare as well as they can for what may take away all that they own.  

As we focus on these disasters, we hear of wildfires in Montana and Oregon.  The report yesterday from Montana was that there were 50 active fires that have already consumed hundreds of thousands of acres, which include homes, vegetation and animal life.  In Oregon, over 300,000 acres have burned thus far.  Smoke from these fires is making breathing hazardous for those unaffected by the actual flames.  News reports say that people are unable to leave their homes because of it.  

The United States is not the only area suffering.  The countries of India, Nepal and Bangladesh have also experienced tragic flooding. Over one thousand two hundred people have lost their lives there. Each day, in all parts of the world, people fight desperately to survive unbelievable circumstances. Here in the states, we hear the most about what happens here.  But we should not, cannot, forget the souls that are suffering in other places.  

We are not powerless!  We have the most powerful force of all available to us if we will only use it. We need to pray!  Ceaselessly pray!  The Lord created and loves each of us.  The color of our skin or the country we live in doesn't change that.  We are to carry the good news of Christ.  Maybe we can't go to Nepal, or even Houston, to help.  However, we can pray.  We can intercede for these precious ones.  In so doing, we express the love that has been lavished upon us as the children of God and we exercise the gift of our direct communication with Him.  

Please follow the news.  Know what is happening and how lives are being impacted.  Carry these needs before the Father.  Prayer has power and we will never understand how much power if we never use it.  I pray this week brings peace and safety.  God bless you.