Photo by Tiago Dos Santos on Unsplash
Today’s good news is simple: God hears prayer (1 John 5:14). These three words are always true, but when grief and disaster creep near, they seem to shine brighter in the darkness. God hears prayer and I’m thankful because there’s so much to pray about.
Hurricane Harvey
Last week, I wrote about flooding in my home. Little did I know that soon, more than 30,000 people would be without beds under the life-threatening floods of Hurricane Harvey. The storm has been termed the “wettest tropical cyclone on record in the contiguous United States,” bringing over 40 inches of rain on men, women, and children living in southeastern Texas and adjacent areas. Only imagine the dismay of families, the elderly, the sick, single mothers, pregnant and nursing women, people unable to swim, and many others. Surely our aid and prayer are needed!
Sierra Leone Mudslide
In the early hours of Monday, August 14, 2017--after several days of heavy rains--residents of Freetown, Sierra Leone were shaken from sleep by a massive mudslide. It’s believed that the disaster took the lives of a 1000 people (including many small children). About 3,000 others are without homes as they search for, bury, and mourn their dead. Condolences, aid, recovery, and infrastructure improvements are needed in Freetown, Sierra Leone; so are our prayers!
Charlottesville Rally
Who can forget the images that came to us from Charlottesville, VA in mid-August? The clash between protesters (white supremacists, white nationalists, neo-Confederates, neo-Nazis, and others opposing the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee) and counter-protesters was a vivid display of the sin of racism--one that brought death, injury and violence. Historic, systemic, structural racism--as well as the personal biases, fears and prejudices we hold in our own hearts--are strongholds that cannot be fought without prayer. May God help us to pray.
The floods have lifted up their voice. But the LORD on high is mightier than the thunders of many waters (Psalm 93:3-4). And the good news is that He hears prayer.
Thank you for reading! Good News Friday is a weekly blog series that reminds us of the sufficiency of Scripture for our instruction and encouragement. Click HERE for more good news and HERE for the Greatest News ever!
As a last note, please see information on a Charles Simeon Trust three-day workshop for women coming to the DC area in November. I have found Simeon courses incredibly useful for expository studying and teaching of Scripture!