Hurricane

There is a hurricane in the Atlantic, nowhere near the coastal town where we are, but the ocean is reacting to the turmoil in its distant reaches. It makes me think of us--people of faith in the Living Christ--who may not be enduring a particularly tumultuous experience in our individual lives but who empathize with our brothers and sisters who are suffering as well as with those outside the faith who are lost in trespasses and sin.

We pray for those who are lost in sin, Ephesians 2:1, 5, because they do not know Jesus. We pray that the Holy Spirit will move upon them and deliver them from the mortal wound of their unbelief.

We pray for those who are sick, Mark 16:18; we implore the Lord in the behalf of those who are wounded in body, mind, or spirit because of the ravages of war; we cry out for God's mercy upon those who are in the cross-hairs of the haters and terrorists of the world; we "pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Psalm 122:6," for we know that when "the least of these,” Matthew 25:40, the brethren of Christ suffer, we are privileged to call their needs before the Throne of Mercy and Grace.

Let us be faithful to supplicate in their behalf faithfully. Let us be confident that the God of all mercy and grace will be merciful and gracious to all who call His name in faith believing (see James 1:6).