Begin to heal the other wounds, Lord, the deeper ones – the wounds of the heart. For those who have lost loved ones, friends, co-workers and neighbors, touch them this morning. Let them know that you are with them. Wrap your arms around them and let them experience your love for them. Bring comfort. Help them to grieve well.
Give city, state, and national officials wisdom what to do and how. Many will be homeless. Provide for them. Mobilize churches to serve, love, and meet needs. Shelter the homeless. As they walk through the rubble of what used to be their homes, touch their hearts and bring hope and peace.
We pray for first responders, hospital staff, and volunteers who will be the first line of protection and provision for this community. Give them and their families strength and courage for the days ahead. Multiply their rest when they sleep, protect their health, and let them serve with power, compassion, and competence.
We pray for those who will be haunted by traumatic images, nightmares, anxiety, and fear. We pray for healing. Replace these things with your peace. We pray for mental health professionals, for wisdom and expertise in dealing with the emotional repercussions of this disaster. Give them special ability.
We pray against those who would take advantage of this situation. Stop them. Change their hearts. Transform them from predators into compassionate helpers.
Lord, through all this, we ask that this community would sense and experience your presence and love. Many will be angry at you. You can handle that. Many will question you. You can handle that too. Through the pain and upheaval, draw their eyes to you. Bring supernatural comfort and peace. Make sense out of what we cannot understand, and help us to trust you.
And Lord, we pray for ourselves today. What do you want us to do? Lead us to your response. Live and work through us today. We are in this together. Cause us to see those around us, hear their cries of pain and frustration, and extend ourselves in love and compassion.
Help us to trust. You are the God of all comfort, and we call upon you today for Moore, Oklahoma.
In Jesus’ name.
