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Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Prayerful Situations: Natural Disasters, dives deeper into talking to God when natural disasters strike.
Show Notes: Prayerful Situations: Natural Disasters
As I’ve been studying and creating this podcast season about prayer, the thought came to me to map out specified examples. Not an appeal to be copied word for word but definite points put into our own words. I pray the next four weeks will help you word your prayer requests with faith as you lift them to Him. We’ll consider:
- How to pray during and for natural disasters.
- How to pray during and for financial struggles.
- How to pray during and for struggles with sin.
- How to pray when you or others are sick.
Specific.
Targeted.
Jesus in Matthew 10:29-30 says: “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
He doesn’t say that sparrows aren’t worth much. He names the specific amount, a copper coin. And mentions that the very hairs on our head are numbered.
And here’s another story where Jesus is precise with details. “When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”
He said, “Yes.”
And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”
Peter said to Him, “From strangers.”
Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” Matthew 17: 24-27.
Why should we toss vague prayers to God who goes out of His way to give precise, definite details throughout His word? Now when you don’t have the words or time during a crisis, God does understand.
Let’s look deeper. Jesus went where His Father said to go and said what His Father wanted Him to say. And we should ask the Father to direct our supplications each time we speak with Him.
We have an understanding God who guides our steps and directs our prayers and whose Word is full of details. How do we pray when it comes to natural disasters?
Our home is in North Alabama. Our two biggest concerns when it comes to natural disasters are tornadoes and flooding. In 2011, Alabama experienced 62 tornadoes with 240 lives lost and countless injured. Then in February of 2020, almost ten inches of rain fell in less than a week, causing massive flooding throughout the area. In both instances, communities were overwhelmed when it came to who to help first and what to pray.
Volunteers organized search, rescue, and restoration units during these disasters to meet their needs. We can use this model for our prayers during natural disasters.
- Search-Pray for people unaccounted for. Loved ones waiting for news. Search and rescue teams. Immediate hospital and shelter needs. Food and water, clothing. Utilities to be restored, especially electricity. Volunteers to be organized. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and safe travels.
- Rescue-Pray for police, firefighters, EMTs, ambulance personnel, and emergency management services. Remember doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. Also, nursing homes, daycare, and school staff. Many times, their caregiving could extend beyond the normal hours. Pray against fear, and for peace and comfort.
- Restoration-Pray for utility workers dealing with water, gas, and electric outages. Organizations like the Red Cross and Samaritans Purse provide relief. Local churches and organizations use their facilities for housing and provide supplies. Anyone in the housing industry making repairs and rebuilding structures. Volunteers from near and far. Pray for those affected to be able to take one day at a time as they rebuild their lives.
God will lead you to pray specifically for needs and people. Be open to His direction. Let’s pray:
Father God, help us to seek your direction each time we pray. When a natural disaster strikes in our area or across the world, lead us to pray specifically for the essentials of the ones affected. We want to be your hands and feet in the world, beginning with prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
You don’t have to be overwhelmed when the unexpected happens. You can target your words to meet the needs of others. Next week, we’ll take a look at how to pray when there are financial needs. Until then, stay determined to dance.
Printable Resource of Prayerful Situations: Natural Disasters
Links:
My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope
Remember: Prayerful Situations: Natural Disasters
Video of the week:
I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.
