"Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in You I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed "(Psalm 57:1).
Father, we need Your mercy. We live in a world full of trouble. The storms seem to come with increasing frequency and intensity. So often, we feel like the disciples, terrified and overwhelmed by the flood. Thank You for hearing our desperate cry, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown” (Matthew 8:25)! Thank You that "the wind and the waves [still] obey [You]" (Matthew 8:27).
We pray today for those dealing with the effects or after-effects of storms and other types of disasters. For those reeling from natural disasters—floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and all other natural phenomena that have caused distress and upheaval.
We pray for those facing war, and for those dealing with the ravages of war or the threat of war. We pray for those facing famine or food shortages. We pray for the displaced, the oppressed, the marginalized. We pray for those facing injustice of any kind. We pray for those facing persecution for their faith.
Lord, whatever the disaster, even the ones that are deeply personal, that no one sees, we know that You see; that You hear the cries from hearts that seek You in their trouble. Thank You for the assurance that You are "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). Thank You for Your promise that nothing can separate us from Your love—not "trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword" (Romans 8:35).
As we pray O Lord, open our eyes, our ears and our hearts to the needs around us. Help us to minister love in Your Name.
The Lord's our rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.
A shade by day, defense by night,
A shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes affright,
A shelter in the time of storm.
The raging storms may round us beat,
A shelter in the time of storm;
We'll never leave our safe retreat,
A shelter in the time of storm.
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our helper ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.
~ Vernon Charlesworth ~ 1880
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