Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy \u2013 those who lost their homes and valuables, those suffering through power outages and flooding, most importantly those who lost their lives. Lower Manhattan, where The Christophers\u2019 office is located, is currently without power and public transportation. I\u2019ll try to do some blogging anyway provided my power and Internet connection at home hold out. <\/p>\n
In light of the devastation, here\u2019s a prayer from a few months ago for those suffering through natural disasters:<\/p>\n
Lord,
\nOur world has been upended.
\nThe forces of nature appear to be conspiring against us.
\nThe homes and possessions of families, friends and strangers \u2013 things for which they\u2019ve worked all their lives, for which we\u2019ve worked all our lives \u2013 have been destroyed.
\nOur sense of Hope has either burned up in flames, been washed away in a flood, crumbled with the earth, or been blown away by a fierce wind.
\nWe are surrounded by suffering, devastation, and death.
\nYour presence is virtually undetectable.<\/p>\n
But then I remember that Your beloved Son suffered too,
\nThat he spoke the words, \u201cMy God, my God, why have You forsaken me\u201d while hanging on the cross.<\/p>\n
Yet the truth is that You never did forsake Him.
\nInstead, You walked with Him through His pain;
\nQuiet, yes, but ever-present.<\/p>\n
In turn, we have a Savior who can identify with our own sufferings,
\nWho doesn\u2019t look down on our pain from some high perch,
\nBut rather stands next to us helping us endure the unimaginable.
\nHe makes His presence felt through comforting acts of kindness
\nAnd through the consoling prayers of a nation.<\/p>\n
As we grasp onto the tiniest spark of hope for the future,
\nWe remember the words of sacred Scripture:
\n\u201cIf God is for us, who can be against us?\u201d
\nAlso, \u201cEverything works together for good for those who love the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n
No doubt, the road ahead will not be easy.
\nOpen our minds and hearts to Your wisdom, courage and guidance on the journey;
\nBring us comfort when our hearts are breaking;
\nCarry us when we are weary;
\nGive us strength as we rebuild our lives.<\/p>\n
Help us to always remember Your assurance,
\n\u201cI am with you always until the end of the age.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amen<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Sandy \u2013 those who lost their homes and valuables, those suffering through power outages and flooding, most importantly those who lost their lives. Lower Manhattan, where The Christophers\u2019 office is located, is currently without power and public transportation. I\u2019ll try to do some blogging […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":488,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[106],"class_list":["post-1793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-prayer","tag-prayer"],"yoast_head":"\n