How to Pray When Tragedy Strikes

It is heartbreaking to see the devastation of Hurricane Harvey on Houston, Texas.

Knowing that Hurricane Irma is continuing the devastation in the Atlantic and soon Florida, only makes matters worse. The lives of those who are affected by these natural disasters are often altered in ways that are never forgotten. And for those of us who aren’t directly affected, it can be hard to know how to reach out and make a difference. In the face of such devastation, we humans feel very small.

It’s in times like these, when we feel so weak and insufficient, that we can rely on Yahweh, our mighty God.

God’s original plan for our world didn’t include hurricanes that take lives and destroy communities. When sin entered the world, so did natural disasters. As long as we are in this fallen world, there will be suffering, yet as believers, we know that this life is not the ending. There is eternal life forever in the presence of our Savior. And with that hope, we can make a difference in this world. We can live a life of a faith and not of fear.

We can pray when tragedy strikes, knowing that we serve a God who is more powerful than anything in this universe.

How can we pray during this current crisis? Here are three ways:

1)Pray for Hurricane Irma to diminish.

They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?” (Luke 8:24-25)

2)Pray that God will bring comfort, wisdom, and peace to those who have suffered.

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
 though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
(Psalm 46:1-3)

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

3)Ask God how you can help.

Whether collecting care packages or opening up your home to friends and family, pray to see how you can be His hands and feet to those in crisis.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:35-40)

Let’s band together in prayer and action during these times when tragedy strikes.