Hurricane Katrina Prayer 

God something tragic has happened.  Of course you are aware as you see and know all things, but something has struck this country in a way never seen before.  We thought we were prepared, we thought we were ready, we thought – it couldn’t be that bad.  We were wrong.  God, we need you. 

As Hurricane Katrina neared the Gulf coast of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, people wondered what might happen, how bad could it actually be.  The pictures we see show us clearly how bad it is.  As we see the pictures and hear the stories of lost homes and missing or dead loved ones, we weep, we hurt, and we cry out for help.  Oh how you must weep too to see your children in this way. 

The pain, the sadness, the loss, the devastation, it’s almost too much to bear even to watch, even from a distance.  Yet, there are hundreds of thousands who are living this nightmare and God we pray for them with all of our hearts and souls.  Houses reduced to splinters, buildings moved blocks away if they are still standing, water that is in areas above rooftops and shutting down an entire city, this is not supposed to happen.  We want to shout God you made a covenant with Noah that has been passed down that you would never again destroy the earth with a flood.  Yet, God, we know this was not your doing.  You are a God of love and healing and that is why we turn to you today seeking you perhaps now more than ever. 

We pray for those who are victims of this disaster – those who lost so much.  May your spirit be upon them each, giving strength to go on even in the most difficult of times.  God touch them and lift them up from the debris and grant them refuge, even if only in their hearts. 

We pray for those who have died in the floods and in the storm.  God greet them in your kingdom with arms open wide and with the knowledge that life eternal is a place free from pain and anguish.  And for those who mourn their passing, God give to each the understanding that you mourn and feel sadness with them.  And though at times that may feel like so very little, just knowing you are there watching over loved ones lost as well as the living, brings a hint of comfort. 

We are so thankful for the brave individuals who are serving as rescue workers.  As they work tirelessly searching for those who are stranded, clinging to whatever they can to survive, we pray that these heroes understand the work they are doing, saving lives, shows all the best that you have created in the human spirit.  God give them strength to continue this dangerous yet remarkable task.  We pray for those who provide shelter and assistance to those who have been stranded.  We pray for the hospital workers, the police, and the national guard as they all do what they can to keep those in current danger safe.  May the best of the human spirit be lifted and overpower that which seems so dark.  God we thank you for so many who are called to action and who respond in a way that can only reflect your image.   

God, something has happened and it is hard to believe how bad it really is.  We need you.  We need you to help us all make sense of this and to show us what to do, how we can help.  We need you to be with us all as we work together now to help those in need find ways to move forward.  As bad as this is, as hopeless as it seems that anything good will come from this disaster, we turn to you because we know nothing is impossible with you.  God, may it be so.  Amen. 

Rev. Zach Fuqua

September 1, 2005

Permission granted to use and/or copy as needed.