It’s been a couple weeks now since Hurricane Florence wreaked havoc in huge swaths of the Eastern seaboard. She made the headlines, and many of us on dryer ground prayed hard (and maybe made a contribution to a relief agency).
But the more I’ve read about disasters and disaster relief, the more I think urgent prayers can really be used when people are struggling to get back to normal. To clean up, to throw away, to rebuild, to restore.
In the initial lead-up to a disaster and immediately after, there is a lot of adrenalin at work. Fear speaks loudly, and people are quick to address it with prayer. As is appropriate.
But then the emotions that follow—when the full extent of devastation is apparent—are despair, hopelessness, anxiety. The kinds of fear that haven’t said its prayers.
I’ve seen terrible photos on Facebook of destruction, but the worst destruction is often stuff that can’t be seen, that doesn’t show up in a big picture. Mold, decay, irreparable loss, documents gone, photos destroyed, precious memories gone.
At such moments we can say to each other, “We’re grateful to be alive” and at the same time wonder how we’re going to get through the next day and the day after that.
There’s a prayer that Job says in the midst of his trials that makes me think of times like these:
My days are swifter than a runner; they flee and don’t experience good. They sweep by like ships made of reeds, as an eagle swoops on prey. If I say, “I’ll forget my lament, put on a different face so I can smile,” I’m still afraid of all my suffering… Job 9:25-28
Still afraid of all my suffering.
For all those who are suffering, we pray for hope in times of despair, light to see through the darkness. And in the midst of it all, peace of mind.
Godspeed.
