A big one finally hit us, and what are we to deduce as a result of it? How is God involved in the enormity of Hurricane Matthew, if at all? Upon such questions shall we direct our hearts, minds, and thoughts today. In the midst of great devastation here and elsewhere, we pray to God for those whose lives have been uprooted and who find themselves victims of the implacable forces of nature. Let us therefore, with all the confidence we can muster, worship the Lord of the ever-expanding universe.
Pastoral Prayer
O Thou who hast created the universe and the world, and created it all good, we who have come through one of the most severe natural disasters of our lives bow before Thee in prayer, wondering and pondering and thinking. If we were so fortunate as to have suffered no personal or property damage, we wonder why. If personally we were somewhat or even badly affected, we wonder why that might be. If others we know and love suffered great losses, we are even more perplexed. Lord God, in the face of a massive display of the raw power of nature, we seek Thy guidance, Thy blessing, and Thy calming influence. But as we seek that for ourselves, even more so do we seek it for everyone everywhere whose lives have been completely disrupted by the hurricane named Matthew.
We pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down by the storm --- in the Caribbean, in the states to the south and north of us, and in our own state, county, and community. Grant perseverance to those who shall be recovering from the damage for months or years. Give strength to those who feel utterly helpless because of what has happened to them. Bless the government workers, paid employees, and volunteers who shall be working for many weeks to bring assistance to those most needing it.
Gracious Creator of us all, it is at times such as these when nature confronts us the most pointedly of our vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Help us to find strength in Thee, especially if we sense nothing but weakness in ourselves. We pray for those who were physically compromised before the hurricane, and who may more rapidly lose their lives as a result of it. In life and death, O Lord, abide with us. We ask these things in the name of Jesus, whose wisdom and guidance is particularly felt by us because of the disaster which has befallen us. Now we join together in the comforting words he taught to his disciples, saying, Our Father….