Reopening: Prayer Is the Most Essential Element

Prayer is the key

Every church in America (and across the world) is making decisions about reopening after the recent months of COVID-19 restrictions. We are developing many practical plans, as we must always. But in all of our planning, are we praying? Are we crying resolute the head of the Church to provide us His mind?

One of God’s agendas in these days is for us to come fully, humbly back to Him. The evidence of this return would be increased, extraordinary prayer. Here are some prayer points that would help us. Incorporate these into your personal group prayer times. What if thousands would humbly pray these prayers together every day across our land?

For our pastors and church leaders

— God-initiated wisdom to know when and how to reopen in the midst of changing reports.

— Courage to follow God’s leadership.

— Balance to grasp what to observe regarding the government’s suggestions and God’s direction.

— Wisdom to know what ministries to reestablish and what to temporarily or permanently cancel, particularly as it relates to children, youth, and adult ministries.

— Understanding to know what God is saying and doing during this point and clarity to speak God’s will to their people.

— Sensitivity to the needs and concerns of those who are most vulnerable and how to meet them where they are.

— Creativity to adapt and change as God directs.

— Pastoral care for their flocks so they may stay in touch and lovingly help them.

For our people

— Healing for those suffering from COVID-19 or others who cannot get needed medical help.

— Intentionality to make the most of these days, not wasting these precious hours that we have been given with our families and with God.

— Love that would lead us to actively minister to our neighbors and those in need.

— Generosity to give to the church faithfully and to meet the needs of those who are suffering around us.

— Intentionality that will help every believer dramatically increase their prayer life.

— Understanding what God is saying and doing in this season so we can join Him.

For our nation and world

— Wisdom for all of our state and national leaders as they make important decisions.

— The desperation that would cause us to turn from our idols and to God.

— Unity to express together all across the land for revival and awakening. A united, repentant, humble cry is irresistible to God.

— Revival for every church across our nation! That God would bring us to life again!

— Spiritual awakening for the many lost people that are headed to an eternity without Christ. That we'd see an invasion of God that will bring the best spiritual harvest the globe has ever known!

Word of Grace to you

Hear God’s Word of Grace to you

“And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness…”(Acts 28 vs 2). That is the Focal Scripture of Streams of Joy Devotional Today.

Today’s Focal Scripture introduces the people Paul encountered when he escaped from the shipwreck. He ran into the midst of barbarous people. The barbarous people were non-Jews and were said to be unlearned and uncivilized. They could be hostile and mean. So, Paul found himself in the midst of uncivilized and hostile people.

Friend, hear God’s Word of Grace to you: Every ‘Barbarian’ in your destiny will turn around and show you kindness. Every person who seemed poised to cut short your destiny will turn around and work in your favor. The same enemies who have been plotting your downfall will serve as servants that will push you to the next level. People who have a history of being hostile to everyone will show you kindness.

The same people who have vowed to keep you miserable and uncomfortable will soon become caring and loving; the same people who have vowed to make you cry will turn around to make you laugh with joy.

Dearest Beloved of the Lord, the ‘barbarians’ will show you kindness in this season in Jesus name!

Pray with me, “Lord, may every ‘barbarian’ in my destiny turn around and show me kindness in Jesus name”.

Have a Restful day!

Today's Controversial Topics in the Church

Top Controversial Topics n the Church Today

Discernment is unquestionably necessary, even among several believers in the current culture.

What's the Christian take on gay marriage? Are spiritual gifts scriptural? Can Christians consume alcohol? These are the topics that frequently cause heated debate inside the church today. Christians take completely different opinions on these problems and each side makes reference to Scripture to aid their views.


Whatever your thoughts about all these topics, hopefully studying their list from the places that the church frequently encounters division will encourage us as Christ-supporters to shoot for unity inside our own places of worship as well as across denominations, because although there are much division and debate one of the broader church, there are also core doctrines that unite us.

ABORTION

Initially, one may think this subject isn't so questionable inside the church because it is between individuals within the church and individuals without. However, like a recent Pew Research Center study shows individuals who tell you they are religious yet don't affiliate themselves having a particular denomination really are mainly in support of abortion, with simply 17 % opposing it.


Still, most Christians are pre-existence, however, the subject remains a questionable one inside the church, especially with regards to the argument that pre-existence should mean more than merely "pro-birth."

GAY MARRIAGE

Gay marriage and whether it ought to be permitted within the church is unquestionably towards the top of their email list of contemporary-day questionable subjects. One do not need to search current headlines for lengthy to locate proof of this debate.


This problem is responsible for division among many denominations. The Presbyterian Church (USA) supports it, as the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCA) yet others don't support it, for instance.


But possibly nowhere may be the debate surrounding this problem more widespread compared to the Anglican Church. Recently (as well as several weeks), the Anglican Church has softened its stance toward gay marriage and gay clergymen, but there's still much opposition. Some have known as around the church to become more welcoming of Gay and lesbian individuals, some go-to date as supporting gay local clergy and granting them the legal rights to do same-sex marriages, while some remain firmly dedicated to the standard meaning of marriage.

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

The problem of ladies teaching/preaching in the church can rapidly become heated. Again, more conservative denominations are usually against women in leadership roles, while more liberal denominations have a tendency to accept it.


Lately, there's been a specific crisis about this problem with an upswing of Christian women bloggers. The internet presence and follower they have is substantial and it has caused some within Christianity to question their authority, while they aren't preaching/teaching inside a traditional church setting.

TYPE OF WORSHIP MUSIC

Contemporary or traditional? Hymns or modern worship songs? This really is certainly an element that has a tendency to spark debate within many places of worship. It's frequently a deciding factor if somebody chooses a church to fit in with. This problem also has a tendency to divide believers between older and more youthful generations.


Even certain instruments could be questionable. A drum kit may not be considered acceptable in certain places of worship, while another church might have a whole praise band having a full-range of instruments.

Some places of worship have tried to resolve the debate by utilizing both contemporary and traditional songs intermixed throughout their worship services.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Although spiritual gifts are pointed out several occasions within the New Testament, different church denominations have different interpretations of the items it genuinely way to have and employ a spiritual gift.

The spiritual gift of speaking in tongues is commonly probably the most questionable associated with a spiritual gift. While Pentecostals fully affirm this spiritual gift, other denominations go to date as so state that speaking in tongues as offending the Holy Spirit.


Other Christians embrace spiritual gifts as well as encourage congregants or church staffers to consider spiritual gift tests to determine where they're best equipped for everyone.

BAPTISM 

Although basically all places of worship practice baptism, baptism rituals in different denominations not just vary used however in theology. There's been a heated debate inside the church for hundreds of years on if the Bible promotes infant or only believer baptism.


More liturgical places of worship even tend to own the impression that baptism is important for salvation, while some don't appear to place lots of weight onto it. Some places of worship also baptize infants, but view it less proof of salvation, but instead like a commitment through the child's family and church body a single article the kid within the anxiety about god. In this manner, a baby baptism is much more just like a dedication from the child.


Still, other places of worship only baptize individuals who're of sufficient age to create a profession of belief that belongs to freedom.


Christians also provide opinions on where and how baptisms should occur--by sprinkling water, by flowing water on someone, or by full immersion.

POLITICS FROM THE PULPIT

Should ministers discuss politics or endorse a particular political party or view in the pulpit?

Churchgoers have completely different views about them, however, the debate is not limited to the church. Just recently President Trump signed a professional order ceasing enforcement from the Manley Amendment, which prohibited a church like a nonprofit entity from endorsing and promoting a specific political party or candidate. Many championed the manager order, stating that it gave places of worship more religious freedom, but others maintained that siding having a certain political party isn't something a church ought to be doing.

ALCOHOL

Can Christians drink alcohol? This question opens up all kinds of debate within the church. Many churchgoers believe Christians should completely stay away from alcohol, bars, and anything that has to do with drinking since the Bible condemns drunkenness and instructs Christ-followers to be sober-minded.

Other churchgoers, however, believe that consuming alcohol in moderation is not a sin. These Christians often argue their point from 1 Corinthians 8 in which the Apostle Paul says that "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak." Many take this to mean, by the context surrounding it, that drinking alcohol is permitted, but Christians should just be careful not to cause someone who is prone to alcohol abuse or someone who believes it is a sin to stumble in their faith by seeing another Christian drinking.

A church's views on alcohol can even be seen sometimes in the worship service; some churches use grape juice for Communion, while others use wine.

Prayer Requests

Today's Prayer Requests

Loren Miffit | Dear God, On this day may we pray for all who can not have faith in our Lord. May he let us assist them in finding the Lord through whatever means necessary. Amen

Lillian Kennedy | I am currently in the midst of transitioning jobs pray for my stability

Vera Bankston-Jones | FATHER GOD, Thank you for the rest and the guidance of Your Love!.......SELAH

Mary Rodriguez | My bf went to jail last thursday i prayed that he was safely in jail now hes on his on his way to florida over a warrant. Clay co. Florida i want to pray his sakvation. I need a home and decent job my bf cheated on me with 4 guys and does meth has gor 20 yrs. I pray we are both ckran i eas before i got qith him tgat o stay off meth and he never wants it afain after he gets out of jail. I pray fir our sqlvation and that if its Gods will we will be together and sobee when he gets out

Larry Calloway | Needing Prayer Help . Needing Prayer for this entire earth , Especially human value system greed , hatred , racism .

Dana Austin | That I can get my life straight for me and my two children, and that I follow His will to be successful in this life, for His glory.

VJ | Plz pray for money in abundance for a comfortable life

LJ  |Please pray for me to regain strength in my legs, and for being healed of Multiple sclerosis that is causing me to be weak but I pray that God with your help and petition on my behalf He will heal me from this disease in Jesus name amen. I ask for strength, and good health in Christ Jesus amen. I believe in my Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart amen. Thank you and God bless you in Jesus name amen

Sadrea | Dear God, Please pray for me to have strength and courage to keep my faith in you. Thank you for giving me another day to live. Please watch over my loved one. And please just speak to me because I want to break down, but I know with you there is a way.

John starling | Prayer for strength physically mentally and emotionally and help to bring my family closer together and closer to the Lord and to help wash any demons that may be trying to push their way into our life away from us to also give us Financial strength and help us gain more wisdom in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit my health is pretty bad I'm disabled and I may need knee surgery in a couple of months please pray that that goes well and that I recover gracefully

SG | My soul is being tormented, Depression is attacking my mind and body, I need prayer for Restoration in my family

Ameer ghissing | Im alone single, strugling for my life,jobless and famililess out of from home since long time. I go to church praying all time but no feeling security myself.so please hope this time of pray ll heal me sooon.prease the lord.thank you.

peng pat | Cure for my thyroid illness

Ashley Lyons | Please pray for my husband and I to find strength in our addiction we're trying to over come. Please pray for my mental illness I've recently developed. I am cursed with this nonstop voice of a very mean negative woman who constantly tells me awful things about me and as well as my husband. I really need all my prayer warriors out there keeping us in your daily prayers. Thank you

Edias Mushayanyama |  Ipray to God to give me the means to serve his people and help to reduce poverty, hunger and disease that afflict some of his people. I have faith that with your blessings, everything is possible.

Abdul sudheer | Respected sir 2012 mom died then 2013 father died 2015 i marryd my wife 6 month pregnant baby boy born and dead.My wife's hearts 2valves leakage problem is there nearly 3 lakhs debits my life I am 37 ,now from18yrs I have been getinggg struggle s in life pls pray for a child doctors said next time pregnant danger almighty God do wonders in our life.thank u.

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Prayer Requests

Today's Prayer Requests

1 John 5:14-15

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

John Sorensen |  Please pray I will be successful at abstaining from drinking coffee. I really like the taste and flavor of coffee, however, I always get bad stomach aches and heartburn soon after I drink any coffee. I bought some green tea, and I am sure that is what I want to drink instead of coffee May this go well.


Nicki palmer | prayer for heal

VERA BANKSTON-JONES | FATHER GOD, Father God I understand that you move and plan for the betterment of my life, and there's no flaws or untruth with anything you do! Guide my steps, my heart, my mind, my life, and continue to bless me with your undying Grace!.......SELAH

Amoako Agnes | God should help me to achieve all my aims and anything that is blocking my future things and marriage too

DH | Please help my cousins get out of my home and into there own place so they can get there kids back. Have them leave us alone we don't need there drama no more it's putting too much stress on me my health my kids and my husband we just want our lives back the way it was before I tried to help them get on there feet but all the did was use me stab me in the back got the law going to come for me for there dumb mistake. We don't need this we want out please Lord help get them out and to leave us alone wrong need this in our lives. We gave too many bills now we can't pay phone call after phone call people sueing us for money we ain't got can't even get food for our kids because of my cousins crap useing up everything making bills out of control. Yes Lord Jesus we need money for these bills not a lot just enough to pay our bills $50,000 would be great pay off bills and fix all the broken stuff in our house, it been freezer here and we gave no heat kids get sick can't take them to Dr no insurance Medicaid denied us, food stamps denied us. We are in a bind need a fix. Please Lord help us. Pray for us thank you

Michael Rotimi | Please thank God on my behalf for the just concluded wedding ceremony. Pray that God will bless the marriage with finance and Godly children. Please also pray that God will break every ancestral yoke in my family pattern. Please join to pray that God will raise up men for the newly established church in my area and that God will cause an outbreak of unstoppable revival in all African churches.

Virginia Leese | Please pray i can get a job to help my husband

Connie Aranda | I've lost My sister n dad and I've been going through shortness of breath that goes and comes..i pray it away in Jesus name..i pray for my health to restore no more swelling or discoloration to legs ever again..i believe my father redeemed me from sickness...i plead the blood of Jesus over my legs over my health in Jesus name...i claim my healing now in Jesus name...also the right headache I've been getting from all this stress be gone now in Jesus Name..Amen..Thank you jesus!!

Shanee Martin | This has been the worst last year in my entire life. I lost my spouse, my children, my home, two cars, and my job of six years. I most of all lost myself. I am working on becoming a better woman and closer with the Lord. I am taking steps to get my kids back but they're not following procedure. Please pray for us to get the help we need and come together as a family. Thank you.

Patty Hecker | I pray that my husband get out of prison really soon so we can all be a family again. I also ask that I get full time employment work where Im at or somewhere else. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Chaz hahn | David saberski my freind recives jesus in his heart amd gets out of the cult he is in jesus name amen

Yudaraj p | Please pray for me our India Please pray for me my future  Please pray for me my church ministry Please pray for me our needs

Tamara Baker | I'd like to request a prayer for my father that has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Help him over come, and help us all to understand all that this disease does to someone. And for strength for my mother that deals with more than one should, because she has the biggest heart and will try to help everyone. To let us all have a wonderful Christmas day as a whole family like the ones we had when I was young. I would also to pray for everyone to see and hear the Lord's word's to live in his ways.I pray that I will get what the Lord knows I need, I trust with my whole heart that if I am to get gifts for my grandbabies, children, and parents, that you will show me the way and what I'm supposed to do. Thank you Lord for your love, strength and knowing what is best for me.

Andrey | Please pray to the true God for us to decide the issue with the re-registration of the land. For more than 6 months, we can not re-arrange the inheritance. Money is no longer on the notaries and on the advocates, one hope for the Creator!

vijay aggarwal | Plz pray for money in abundance for a comfortable life

Jeffrey Sollars | I need to be delivered from addiction to meth and find the right job im recovering now but every time I get to a place where I am doing great i screw up again please Lord deliver me from myself put the right person or persons in my Journey back home to you help me to be faithful to my calling in you and to never again forget who i am in you thank you Jesus

Nelson |  i want to stop drinking alcohol and immorality too so please help me in prayers

Teresa Whitehead | Please pray  my grandson who is in deep depression and suicidal,  also for my health and financial difficulties. Thank you

Charisma King |  I am seeking prayer for strength in accepting my calling and Grace to build God's temple to spread his word. Thank you. AMEN.

Oyelami Busola | Glory be to God for His word. I need your prayer, God should help me to be in Him for the rest of my life. God should make source of
blessing for this generation in all the raminication of life.

nick f | i wish my legs and body would stop being paralyzed



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Ways to Pray for Las Vegas

3 Ways to Pray for Las Vegas: It’s a Powerful (Not Political) Act for Christians

Prayer is not an empty gesture; it's how Christians first respond to tragedy. - ED STETZER

This morning, most Americans are waking up to news of another mass shooting-this time in Las Vegas-and, this time, the worst in our country’s history.

We will sit in front of the TV, our regular morning routine put on hold as we see the all-too-familiar images of police setting up barricades, victims being evacuated, and a slowly increasing casualty count scrolling across the bottom of the screen. In our shock, we often default to news consumption, waiting on every bit of information:

Who was the shooter and why did he do this?

What about the wounded?

What does this mean moving forward?

What needs to change in our country?

These questions are important questions, but let me propose for Christians that after we have learned of the shooting, we turn away a moment from news consumption and turn towards prayer.

#ThoughtsAndPrayers?

I wrote in response to San Bernardino that prayer is often depicted as “not enough” or, even worse, as political posturing. But Scripture both models and teaches that prayer is central to the Christian life. Regrettably, #ThoughtsAndPrayers was already trending this morning on Twitter, but not in a good way.

Some will criticize politicians for their prayers today, calling them to action. But, I’m not a lawmaker and I think prayer is action. Not the only action needed, but a good one right now in this moment.
I don’t know all the details and I am not in Las Vegas, but I do have a heavenly father who hears my prayers as I cry out to him.

Here are three things you can pray for this morning as you process these news stories.

1. Pray for the Victims

As of this morning there are at least 50 people dead and over 200 injured. As was the case with Orlando, San Bernardino, Newton, and others in recent memory, mass casualty attacks invariably leave a wake of destruction. And, if we are honest, in addition to feeling sadness, we are angry. Indeed, if we look at Scripture, we find that this response is normal.

As those who want to see God’s kingdom come here on earth, our anger is a reflection of how things are not right in this world. In fact, our anger can spur us on to greater love and deeper prayer for God’s healing and shalom to come during times of great tragedy like this.

As we recognize our anger, we then pray with an attitude of confession and expectation. Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter one is an example of one receiving terrible news of devastation far away. He started his prayer and fasting by confessing his own sin. He then gave himself to the task and expected that God would empower him to be a blessing. So can we.

So we pray for healing for the survivors and for their loved ones. We ask God to bring not only physical and emotional healing, but spiritual assistance. This spiritual assistance takes many forms-words of encouragement from believers spoken at the right time and in the right attitude, reminders that we have a God who cares for us and who himself is familiar with great pain, etc.

2. Pray for Our Civic Leaders

In the political division we face, praying for our civic leaders can be difficult for many of us. This past week has been a good example of that.

Of course, people will bring lots of issues to these conversations. But, when a national tragedy occurs, before we begin arguing about who is right and wrong and why this happened and how we can stop it, we first sit in the pain and weep with those who weep.

Indeed, questions of mental health, gun laws, and the source of the hate are, indeed, appropriate questions to ask and discuss. But 1 Timothy 2:1-2 actually commands us to pray in intercession and thanksgiving for “kings and all those in authority.” Leading through crisis is harrowing and can be magnified by everyone looking to you for answers. The president, Congress, and local law enforcement are not only grieving as we are, but are responsible to lead in the aftermath.

Regardless of our political divisions and how personally difficult it is to pray for certain civic officials, our faith demands that we submit ourselves in humility to praying for our leaders. You can join me in praying for Las Vegas sheriff Joseph Lombardo, Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman, Nevada governor Brian Sandoval, and President Trump.

Pray honestly and fervently for their wisdom in navigating the treacherous roads ahead. Pray that they’d make wise choices for the safety of our nation and its people. Pray that they would have wisdom and discernment during the crisis so as to bring unity and leadership to those in need.

3. Pray for Las Vegas Churches

Las Vegas is often known as “sin city,” and (surely) some fool will say this is the judgement of God, forgetting that Bible-belt Houston was just hit with a hurricane. And, of course, some in the media will make that person that no one has ever heard of into a nationally prominent voice.
As Christ-followers, our place is not to judge, but to humble ourselves in unity with our brothers and sisters who are grieving.

We must pray for the churches in Las Vegas to be ministers of the gospel in the midst of this loss. As Paul asked of the early church in Colossians 4:3, we must pray that God would open a window for us to share the love of Christ in the midst of the pain. Just as God’s church has led the response to hurricane relief, pray that it would now again be a light in Las Vegas. They need all of our encouragement and support during this time.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I visited with my friend Vance Pitman of Hope Church in Las Vegas. Their church has been, as their name says, a bearer of hope for many years in Las Vegas, but that word takes on new meaning now.

And many other churches will bear that hope as well. And, we pray they will.

Going Forward on Our Knees

Now, we must do more than pray. Issues, some controversial, must be addressed. But, all of us can agree to pray in this moment.

Let’s pray for comfort for the hurting, echoing the words of Paul speaking of God, “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Cor. 1:4).

Then, we can pray the words of Jesus: “Thy kingdom come, thy will done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). Clearly, the world is not as Jesus desires it to be, and we pray for him to make all things right. God’s kingdom is one that is holy and right and without pain and suffering. Lord Jesus, this is what we long for today and always.

Maranatha. Come quickly, Lord, and fix this broken world.

For us, #PrayForLasVegas is not a political act. It’s actually a powerful one.

Ed Stetzer holds the Billy Graham Distinguished Chair of Church, Mission, and Evangelism at Wheaton College, is executive director of the Billy Graham Center, and publishes church leadership resources through Mission Group.




SOURCE

Hurricanes: A Prayer

We turn to our God in Prayers

As the Caribbean islands clean up from what has been named one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record, Florida now prepares for impact. The state’s governor, Rick Scott, calls Hurricane Irma, “way bigger than Andrew,” which was the devastating hurricane that hit the state 25 years ago. And with such a huge storm come huge dangers and huge uncertainties and huge fears about what will happen to the state later this weekend and into next week.

Meanwhile, the city of Houston continues to clean up from the devastation brought by Hurricane Harvey. And Hurricanes Jose and Katia are brewing at sea as we speak. In these moments, it is only right that we turn to our God in prayer. And that is exactly what John Piper was led to do today. Here now is John Piper’s prayer for hurricane victims in Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, and elsewhere.

A Prayer in the Path of Hurricanes

O Lord God, mighty and merciful, we are asking for mercy - mercy amid the manifestations of your great might. We are asking, for Jesus’s sake. Not because we deserve anything better than calamity. We know that we have sinned. We have exchanged the high treasure of your glory for trinkets. We have not loved you with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. We have sown the wind, and reaped the whirlwind. We are pleading for mercy.

We make no demands. You are God, and we are not. We are bent low in submission to your just and sovereign power. Indeed, we are prostrate before the unstoppable wind of your justice and wisdom.
We know that you, O Lord, are great. Whatever you please, you do, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. You make clouds rise at the end of the earth. You bring forth the wind from its storehouses.

You have commanded and raised the mighty wind, and it has lifted up the waves of the sea. The floods have lifted up, O Lord. You have tilted the waterskins of the heavens.
You sweep us away as with a flood. You kill and you make alive; you wound and you heal; and there is none that can deliver out of your hand. You sit enthroned over the flood - enthroned as King forever.

We are like a dream, like dust swept off the street in a torrent.

But you, O God, are mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea. It is our peril and our hope that you can do all things, and no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

O Lord, do not sleep through this storm. O Lord, let not the flood sweep over us, or the deep swallow us up. Rise up! And do what only you can do amid these winds and waves. Rebuke them, as you once did. When they have done your wise and needed work, let them not have one minute more of strength. Command them, O Christ, to cease, we pray. And make a holy calm. For you are God, all things are your servants.

And give us ears, O God. Your voice, O Lord, is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. O God, forbid that we would not give heed.

Open our ears, you who once brought Job to humble silence, announcing from the whirlwind who you are, and that, when all is lost, the story then unfolds that in it all your purpose was compassionate and kind.

Whether we sit waste deep in the water of our Texas homes, or wait, uncertain, with blankets on a church pew, or nail the plywood to our Florida shop, or sit secure and dry a thousand miles from any sea, teach us, in mercy, what we need to learn, and cannot any other way.

And woe to us who, far away from floods, would point our finger at the sufferer and wonder at his greater sin, forgetting how the voice of Jesus rings in every tragedy: “Do you think that they were worse offenders? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” The very word of God to all Americans.

And now, O Lord, unleash the common grace of kindness from a million hearts and bank accounts, and grant as great a mercy in rebuilding as you once gave verdict to destroy. Restrain, O God, the evil hearts of those who would bring sorrow upon sorrow by looting what is left behind, or exploiting loss for private gain.

And in your church awaken this: the truth that you once gave yourself for us that we might be redeemed, not first from floods, but sin and lawlessness. That you once died, not first to put us out of peril, but to make us pure. Not first to spare us misery, but to make us zealous for good deeds. And so, O mighty Christ, unleash from us another flood: the blood-bought passion of your people not for ruin, but for rebuilding lives and homes.

O Father, awaken every soul to see where we have built our lives on sand. Show us from every storm the way to build our lives on rock. Oh, are you not our rock? Our fortress, our deliverer, our God in whom we take refuge, our shield, and the horn of our salvation, our stronghold. How great the fall of every life built on the sand of human skill!

And yet, how great the sure and solid gift held out to everyone in Christ! For you have said more wonderfully than we can ever tell:

Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword - or wind, or waves? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through your great love for us.

For you have made us say with deep assurance: Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor hurricanes nor floods, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And all in Jesus’s name,

Amen.



This is John Piper's prayer on the path of the hurricanes, first published Desiring God