Katrina – Prayer Service

31 August 2005

As we remember those who were affected by the disastrous effects of Hurrican Katrina, let us pray especially for those along the coastal areas who suffered the greatest loss.

One man reported having to let go his grasp on his wife’s hand. She told him to take care of the children and grandchildren. He could not continue to hold on to her. Let us pray for families who have lost loved ones to death.

Mat’s family home was three blocks from the Lake Ponchartrain levee that broke. He located the rooftop among pictures of the floodwaters. FEMA has reported that it will be at least a year before they would be able to rebuild. Let us pray for families who have lost their homes.

The Doñez family lost the business they operated in New Orleans. It will be two months before they would be allowed to return to look for its remains. They have no current source of income with the business lost. Let us pray for families who have lost their livelihoods.

Mat’s family is staying with relatives in Shreveport for the moment. They will need to make decisions as to their future. Let us pray for those who have no place to go and no means of transportation.

One woman reported to have found a shoe—the only thing she rescued from her home. Let us pray for those who have lost their material posessions and must begin their lives anew.

Nurses in a New Orleans hospital needed to begin hand-pumping ventilators, as the power was out and the generators are no longer functioning. People were being turned away from the hospital, as it is in need of evacuation. Let us pray for people seeking aid and not knowing where to turn.

Judy and Monica took refuge in a Mobile office building that was deemed to be a safe haven. They had taken refuge there before. With communications down, no one knows their whereabouts. Let us pray for families who are anxiously awaiting information on loved ones who cannot be reached.

Debbie reported seeing the top of a tree in their driveway being twisted out by winds. Her family remained safe through the storm. Let us pray for those who survived unharmed as the strive to meet the needs of other around them who were less fortunate.

Virginia Baptists have a disaster relief feeding team in place in Picayune, MS. They will be serving meals to rescue and relief workers, as well as to people who have no place to find food and no funds with which to purchase it. Let us pray for all those working to alleviate the dire needs of so many who are suffering from the effects of the devastation.

Many have turned to looting in the 20 percent of New Orleans that is not under water. They have no place to go. They have nothing left to eat. They have no refrigeration. They have no hope. Some will seek alcohol and drugs to hide from their pain and despair. Some will throw off restraint due to their despair. Let us pray for those who have lost all hope and any sense of appropriate action. Let us pray that they might turn to God and hope once again.

One mother escaped the flood waters with her naked baby in her arms. How will she care for, feed, and clothe this infant with no income and no shelter? Let us pray for parents who struggle to regain a sense of security for their families, seeking new means to provide for their children.

Rescue and relief workers are still focusing on helping those who remain trapped in attics, rooftops, and trees amid flood waters. They have no time to spare for reclaiming the bodies they find among the waters. Houses in Mississippi are being marked with black crosses to note the presence of corpses. Let us pray for those who may be affected by the outbreak of disease in the increasingly unsanitary conditions of the area.

People are stranded. People are homeless. People are lost. People are missing. People are desperate. People are hurting. People are angry. People are scared. Let us pray that the love and presence of Christ may be sensed in their midst. Let us pray for hope amid despair, light in darkness, and comfort amid distress.

As we consider those devastated by Hurricane Katrina, let us not forget the hundreds of thousands affected by the tsunami along the Southeast Asian coast. Thousands are still seeking to reclaim their livelihoods and a sense of normalcy to their lives. Let us pray for those in such places as India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia who are still reeling from the effects of the tsunami.

Florida is still recovering from the devastation of hurricane damage last year. Let us pray for others who have suffered calamity but have fallen out of the limelight of the news media.

All around us lie despair, fear, anger, and hoplessness. Let us pray for ourselves that we might have the courage and strength to proclaim faith and hope to a world in need. May the peace and grace of Jesus Christ live in our hearts and spill over to touch those around us who are in need. May we be more aware of needs around us, shouldering our responsibility to care for those for whom Christ died and rose again.

As Christ has set us free and called us to be His servants. Let us so serve that we might make ripples to last for eternity in the lives of those around us, both near and far away.

Until Christ be formed in us, let us continue on.

—©Copyright 2005 Christopher B. Harbin