Deeanne Gist - www.deeannegist.com - Inspirational Romance Author

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Pause for Prayer

My heart is filled with grief and pain for our fellow Americans who overnight have become homeless. They are facing the loss of their homes, their communities, their entire cities and, even worse, their loved ones. My city here in Texas is swollen with refugees. Our hotels are packed to capacity. Our leaders are asking for help, even something as simple as dropping off gift cards for local eateries or discount stores or gas stations.

But we as Christians can not only do physical things, we can do spiritual things. So, as our fellow man is floundering, crying out, and feeling that all is lost, I feel a tremendous calling to pray without ceasing. Will you join me?

Precious Lord,

Calm the storms. Not only the physical ones, but the emotional ones. Your people are hurting and wailing. Let them know that in the midst of their darkest hour You are there. You have a plan. You can take disaster and transform it into good.

Show those of us in a position to serve Your people what we can do. How we can minister. Then, Lord, I fervently pray that we respond favorably to Your call.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.
Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou has anointed my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

In Your Blessed Name we pray, Amen.

posted by Deeanne at 12:29 PM

4 Comments:

Cindy said...: Dee, thank you for the prayer. I've been struggling all day with wanting to pray for the hurricane victims, but it seemed so overwhelming that I didn't even know where to start! I prayed with you as I read your prayer. This is the first time I've seen your blog, and I'll be a regular visitor now. And oh-my-gosh! Your struggle with romance novels IS almost exactly like mine! But even though I've needed to give them up, I still have a huge collection. Please pray that I'll have the determination to put them on the curb for recyling this week!
Meg said...: Amen, Dee. My heart is so heavy that it's hard to proceed with daily life. But then maybe that's a call from the Lord to slow down, grieve with those who grieve, and pray.

I have many connections in the Mobile area and a few in Louisiana. As far as I know, all my loved ones are safe but some of them are in very tough situations.
Deeanne said...: Be careful Cindy that you don't take on my yoke. Listen first and foremost to God. He may not be calling you to put your romances on the curb (or in the library or where ever). And I'd hate for you to do so, if you don't have to!!

Isaiah 50:4 is a great prayer, especially in this situation. I love the way it asks the Lord not just to give him ears to listen, but ears that listen like one being taught. Two very different requests, eh?

I'm praying for you, Beloved, and I'm so glad you're going to stick around. I look forward to getting to know you better.

I saw your blog, Meg. And though my city was not touched by so much as a shower, we are feeling the ripple effects in huge, huge ways. The folks in the N.O. Superdome are being bused over to our Astrodome. They have cancelled all events in the Astrodome through DECEMBER. Can you imagine? 3000 people living together in a baseball park? For months on end? And they only have 10 shower heads per locker room. In the whole place. So, keep praying!!
Meg said...: Cindy, I agree with Dee's advice that you have to be sure it's your yoke you're taking up, not hers. Years ago, I tossed my collection of secular music, not because the Lord asked me to, but because I was imitating somebody else who had a real problem with that type of music. Later, I resented my friend for supposedly "pressuring" me into giving up my music--which she hadn't done. It was my mistake, not hers.

About Katrina's ripple effects, we're feeling them here in GA, too. Motels are booked solid, and I heard yesterday that a hundred people are camping in the parking lot at Six Flags. Might be more by now.