Prayer During a Storm

Let Us Pray for the Residents in Houston

Let us pray for the residents in Houston, Texas. They are suffering through floods, storms, tornadoes, failing dams, and broken levies.  Hurricane Harvey has caused catastrophic damage, including displacement, injuries, and loss of precious lives.

Oftentimes, we say we are going to pray for someone, and then our life gets busy and we forget. People need our prayers. So, let us remember to pray. Friends, a prayer is simply opening our heart and talking to God. Sometimes we may not know exactly what to say in the moment we kneel down to pray. There is no need to worry. Sometimes, just sitting quietly for a few minutes frees the mind and as we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us, we experience the joy of letting our heartfelt words flow freely.

Sometimes, I enjoy reading prayers that other spiritually-minded people have written. There is nothing wrong with that, especially if it is a prayer that conveys the innermost feelings of my heart. Today, I read a prayer that was written in 1888. The author is unknown. I have re-written this prayer to conform to today’s language style.

Please read this prayer as a way to help those in need of the protection of the Lord during these fearful and trying and times.

Prayer During a Storm

Our great God who is mighty and powerful in heaven and on earth, today’s storms remind us of how much control you have over us all. All creatures large, small, and in-between tremble and fall into fear at the mere sound of your voice. 

You reveal our sins to us and ask us to confess and repent in order that we will not be taken down by the wickedness of the world. You are such a mighty and powerful Lord and you constantly remind us that living a righteous life, one that caters to your will, is the only way to live. You are almighty, Lord. You could destroy this world with just one clap of thunder and lightning. We bow down to you, Lord. We kneel in prayer before you and submit to you. Please have mercy on us. Forgive us of our sins. Spare us. Lift up your gracious countenance upon us. Preserve our bodies, our lives, our homes, our property, our town, our land, our goods, our possessions, and all that we have. Protect the fruits of the field from hail and sleet, from the destruction of the storms, floods, and from all danger.

Please also guard us against an evil and sudden death, and mercifully grant that many sinners may, by your word, thunder and lightning, be persuaded to turn away from their wicked walk and life and be wholeheartedly converted to serve you.

Let us spend every hour of our day thinking of your gloriousness, knowing that you are watching us and watching over us. Dear Lord, please have mercy on us poor sinners, our bodies and souls on this earth. We ask that if you should call us to leave this world that we would be delivered to you with joy as we enter into the kingdom of your heaven.

In the name of your son, Jesus Christ,

Amen.

Bible Scripture - Psalm 4:8 (New International Version)

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Prayer Video

I created and narrated the following prayer video on September 6, 2012. It is titled, “Prayer in Great Trouble and Danger.” I pray that this prayer will give you hope as you follow along during the narration. 

Thank you for reading my blog. I pray for love, peace, and happiness in your life.

Forever,

Rev. Marlene C. Bertrand

Pastor, Christian House International Church

ChristianHouseInternational.com

Pray for our Leaders

1Timothy 2:1-2

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

A Clergy’s Point of View

Clergy people are reprimanded for mixing religion and politics. But, this is a temporary limitation which will end as soon as the President Elect takes office. So, please consider this message to be a message of spiritual guidance about the state of the country following the election and the concerns, and anxiety that many people are feeling and who are expressing their upset in the form of protesting and violence.

Tell me, please, what is with all of the violence? I understand protesting and wanting your voice to be heard. But, really, why are people being so violent over the loss of the candidate who they wanted to win? 

Facebook Posts

I point you to a Facebook post that I wrote soon after the election. After seeing and hearing all the violent reaction because the election did not go their way I felt compelled to write the following:

"Don't people know that God is the one who decides who is elected? Sure, we all get out and vote, but at the end of the race, God wins. Sometimes, we look at life from our own set of circumstances. When God speaks in our lives, we listen. We are not the only ones in his grasp. Perhaps God is working to open the eyes of the people. Perhaps it is President Elect Trump's time to learn and to grow through God's grace and direction. Let me tell you, most of the time the person I voted for does not win. I accept that. It was a race and someone had to win. Once the winner is claimed, I settle myself down and get behind the winner because that winner is the one God wanted to win regardless of what I think or want. Now is the time to pray hard and ask God to hold the new president in his hands and direct him the same as he directs us all. Things will be alright. God will make sure of it. If you believe in God, then you know the race ended exactly as he wanted it to end. To the protesters... stop protesting. It's done. To the people who are sad... stop being sad. Start letting Mr. Trump know what you want. Write letters. Send email. Tweet him. Get your message to the president in a way that is civilized and respectful. He will respond to you. I know because whenever I send a letter to Mr. Trump he (or someone at his office) responds."

I received multiple responses, all positive. Here are a few responses. I share two that represent the general response received from Facebook friends:

M. G. wrote:

Interesting that in the Old Testament God used secular kings to confront His chosen people, even heroes of the faith! God is sovereign, good, and cares about every detail of our lives.”

A. N. wrote:

“Beautifully stated, Marlene Bass Bertrand! We have to learn and be humble to accept and respect that majority of people had elected the new president. Don’t let the REAL DEVIL get the best of us because he loves to bring destruction to God’s children. I love C. S. Lewis’s book, The Screwtype Letters. Here is a powerful reminder for us:

My Dear Wormwood,

Be sure that the patient remains completely fixated on politics. Arguments, political gossip, and obsessing on the faults of people they have never met serves as an excellent distraction from advancing in personal virtue, character, and the things the patient can control. Make sure to keep the patient in a constant state of angst, frustration and general disdain towards the rest of the human race in order to avoid any kind of charity or inner peace from further developing. Ensure that the patient continues to believe that the problem is “out there” in the “broken system” rather than recognizing there is a problem with himself.”

Pray for Our Leaders

1 Timothy 2:1-2 urges us to pray for our leaders. Whether we like who the newly elected president is or not, at noon on January 20, 2017 Donald John Trump will become the leader of the free country of America. As Christians, our duty is to lift him up to the Lord and pray faithfully that the Lord will guide him through his term as the president.

I urge everyone to get behind Mr. Trump and pray for the Lord to guide this country in a way that helps us all become safe, healthy, and prosperous.

In Jesus’ name we pray.