Out With the Old, In With the New

When catastrophic events take place, many people’s worlds are turned upside down. It is very hard to make sense of what has happened. Invariably, some people will blame God. Many who know Christ will seek Him for comfort, grace, and strength. Sometimes, Believers will blame the enemy. We live in a fallen world and I don’t personally believe that God causes destruction. I do, however, believe that He can and does turn disastrous situations around for good. He says this in His Word. I think God is already taking the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and turning it into an opportunity. The hearts of His people are rising and they are becoming His hands and feet to their neighbors in need. Worship is taking place in shelters – honoring God and encouraging the downtrodden. Prayer is happening publicly everywhere – among first responders, other rescue workers, and in the shelters. Church members are being the Church in their communities. God is forming something new.

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28; WEB)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

• Go find some pictures of the devastation from Hurricane Harvey. Try to put yourself in the situation tens of thousands are facing on the Gulf coast of Texas.
• Intercede for those facing losses. Pray for family and friends you know or those your friends know. Pray for some of the strangers you see in the photos. Ask God to meet the greatest needs of their life right now – physical and spiritual.
• Declare that God will sweep away the darkness and devastation and will give direction and fresh ideas to His people for spiritual and civic renewal.
• Declare that racial unity, economic unity, and unity in the Body of Christ will be clearly seen.
• Decide how you will help in some way. You are praying. Are you able to give? Here are a few good places to do so: Somebody Cares, Houston, Samaritan’s Purse, American Red Cross, CarterBloodCare or google local food banks along the coast from Corpus Christi east to Louisiana.

A prayer you can pray:

Lord, as I look at the pictures on television or the internet that show Harvey’s devastation, deeply touch my heart with Your compassion. Help me to know how people feel and what it would be like not to know where food or water is coming from or where I would be able to get some sleep. Help me to feel what the handicapped are feeling, or young parents with small children, or pet owners who are forced to evacuate. Help me to connect with their losses. Help me to now pray with fervency for the turn-arounds they need in their lives. Give me passion to pray for salvations, miracle provision, and new beginnings. Use this situation to remove old blighted areas and spiritual atmospheres. Give new, fresh, creative ideas to Your Church for rebuilding and renewal. Heal divisions and let the unity be seen publicly, so the enemy’s mouthpieces are shut! Show me how to pray and how to give. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Today’s decree:

I declare that the Church will be the Church in the areas devastated by Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath, and will bring glory and honor to God!