Tornado Season - Again
Tornado season has come to us again, just ask those in and around Canton, TX (and many other places as well). The forecast for the week calls for more severe weather beginning on Wednesday and moving East again. I overlooked this prayer from 2014 when I was compiling the previously posted psalms and prayers (on Facebook™), but a former student found it and reposted it on the old site (thanks Lynn!) when those in Canton needed words. And so I repost as well, with the prayer that you do not need these words. If you know of a friend in need, send them the prayer.
Lord, it’s that time of year again,
when many keep a weather-vigil;
because they know how fast
a blue sky with fluffy white clouds,
can turn into a boiling dark cauldron
of hail, rain, wind – and tornadoes.
The evening news is already reporting
the loss of life as it shows the pictures:
before – when tornadoes hit other people,
after – when they suddenly turned on you.
Lord, how can we see and not appeal
for your compassion on our neighbors;
they hardly know where to start today,
much less what to do tomorrow;
and for your compassion when the cameras
have long gone, chasing the next story
We know, Lord, the season has only begun,
for weeks and months to come
the vigil will continue.
We will hear the same stories,
see the same awful pictures:
cars and trucks tossed like toys,
houses reduced to sticks and stones –
that break our hearts night after night,
and survivors walking in a daze.
God, we don’t know what to do,
how do we help from long distance?
Especially tonight when the storms fire again,
a continual report of tornadoes and damage.
What would you have your people do – ?
but pray for those who are afraid.
ask your mercy upon the children.
beg for lives not to be lost.
plead for the welfare of the poor.
petition for the safety of first-responders.
We’ve run out of words;
Spirit please hear our hearts and speak.
Please Lord.
