"The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective." James 5:16b
So often in this territory of chronic illness we can feel powerless: powerless against unseen chemical reactions in our bodies that set forth a whole array of changes and challenges; powerless up against the unknown variables within a day; powerless in the attempt to find answers and solutions. This feeling of powerless is part of this wilderness.
As I see pictures and reports coming out of Minot, ND, I hear the feelings of powerlessness coming from those who are watching water rise around them, higher than anyone has seen there in five generations, perhaps longer. The flooding is bad...really bad.
As people who know what powerlessness feels like, and who know what the floodwaters of life can do (figuratively and literally), I believe those of us in this blog are especially empowered to be able to pray with empathy, understanding and deep compassion for the people of Minot. We know what it means in various ways to come up against circumstances that don't have easy answers. We know what it feels like to not know what will happen next. We know what it means to come to the end of our rope and have to trust that somehow, some way, the Lord who made us and redeemed us will hold us in tender care even today.
I call upon this group to pray. Pray from the depths of your understanding. Pray from your experiences. Pray the powerful prayer of intercession that people who walk the wilderness can pray. Please pray for Minot, and all who face overwhelming circumstances. Pray for each other, and even as I keep you in my prayers each day.
Righteous God, we come to you not because we are powerful, but because You are. We pray for all who struggle and are overwhelmed today and ask your comfort, strength, peace and hope to surround them. Amen.
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