Most merciful Lord Jesus, we come to your throne of grace today on behalf of our friends and neighbors in the Midwest and Southern states of America. The devastation after the tornados and flooding is both widespread and deep. Many have lost loved ones, homes, and businesses. Many begin today in distress, shock and trauma. The entire infrastructure of some communities has been destroyed. Here our cry for mercy and prepare us for loving to your glory.
It’s because of your great love for us, Jesus, that we care. It’s because you laid down your life for us that we will lift up our prayers, load up our cars, and take up our tools to fulfill the royal law. It’s the royal law because you are the King of glory and grace, Lord Jesus. To know you is to follow you into this crisis. To love you is to serve our neighbors, to shoulder their burdens and to share our goods, not just our words.
Jesus, we especially pray today for children who have been traumatized by this crisis. Bring your calming presence to bear by your Holy Spirit, through parents and friends, and by gifted care-givers. Extend your tear-wiping hand through your servant people.
We pray for city officials and civil servants, and for government and community leaders. Grant them wisdom and strength. We ask that power, water and communication services be restored quickly. Reveal the sovereign reach of your merciful and mighty hand, as you superintend the events of the next hours and coming days.
Jesus, we pray for Christians and churches planted right in the middle of this hard providence. Over-supply them supernatural strength and gospel-love to care for their neighbors. Write great stories of redemption and mercy in the coming months. May the gospel become beautiful and believable to many—as burdens are born, people are loved, tree limbs are cut, trash is hauled off, meals are shared, money is given, homes rebuilt.
And show us our part, show me my part. We will not shut our hearts to our neighbors because you open wide your heart to us, Lord Jesus. So very Amen, we pray, in your powerful and tender name.
