The hurricanes that batter us are not your judgment,
But the echoes of a creation out of sync,
Twisted by the forces of human neglect, greed, and sin.
We confess that in our carelessness and consumption,
We have damaged the very earth you entrusted to us.
The changing climate stirs the seas and fuels the winds,
Turning what was once natural into something more destructive.
We have scarred Your earth,
And now we all reap the whirlwind.
Lord, have mercy.
Alongside the practice of lament, I also look for the helpers. There are always good people—heroes—responding with compassion to those in need. This is a helpful practice to teach children when they’re struggling to understand disasters, showing them that even in hard times, there are people who care and are making a difference. On Sunday, we also prayed for these helpers:
Be with the helpers—those who serve with courage and compassion.
Give them strength as they embody Your love in action.
Of course, prayer is only part of our response. Christ calls us to act, too, and join the efforts to aid those in need in tangible ways. So, we opened the AYMC as a comfort station, collected essential items for our neighbors, and raised funds for disaster relief.
You can still make a financial contribution by going to the church website and selecting “Disaster Relief” from the dropdown menu or by clearly marking your offering envelope on Sunday. We have pledged up to $5,000 matching funds to support the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Disaster Relief.
Together, we can embody love in action.
—Carol
