News reports are pouring in about the catastrophic flooding pummeling Southeast Texas as a result of Category 4 Hurricane Harvey. And the stories of devastation make it hard not to feel helpless. But there is something we can all do. Texas pastors are urging Christians everywhere to get down on their knees and pray!
Credit: Twitter (@stevenromo) / Scott Olson/Getty Images
Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Texas on Friday night, August 25, 2017. And the flooding since is worse than anyone anticipated.
"We have not seen an event like this," William "Brock" Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday morning at a news briefing. "You could not draw this forecast up. You could not dream this forecast up."
The death toll sits at 14, and authorities expect it will rise. The count includes heartbreaking stories, such as a family of 6 who drowned inside their van when a strong current swept it away.
Texas Pastors Plead For Prayer
Natural disasters have a way of reminding us of just how little control we have. And so, Texas pastors are urging everyone to turn to the One who is in control — God.
RELATED: Why it’s important to pray in times of tragedy
T.D. Jakes, Bishop at Texas megachurch The Potter’s House, sent out a call for prayer, quoting Isaiah 41:10, which says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Join us as we continue to pray for safety, shelter, restoration and a calm in the midst of it all. Isaiah 41:10 #PrayersForTheGulfCoast pic.twitter.com/DBWwIlyhRI
- T.D. Jakes (@BishopJakes) August 27, 2017
Matt Chandler, lead pastor at The Village Church in Flower Mound, called upon his Twitter followers to join him in prayer for Houston.
Multiple friends from Houston have reached out for prayer this morning asking us to pray for Harvey to move. Join us in praying?
- Matt Chandler (@MattChandler74) August 27, 2017
He later retweeted a picture of all of the flooding, posted by J.A. Medders, the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Tomball, saying “Kindling for your prayers saints!”
610 is one of the major loops that goes around Houston. pic.twitter.com/Sv46vNFMgl
- J.A. Medders (@mrmedders) August 27, 2017
J.A. has been right in the thick of things, posting rescue videos and flooding photos.
After 6 hours, we rescued around 30 people. The first man we saved was in his 60s, paralyzed, and stuck upstairs. pic.twitter.com/ej0LqyOYL6
- J.A. Medders (@mrmedders) August 28, 2017
Houston Five pastor Doug Stringer, who is also founder and president of Turning Point Ministries International, found himself stranded at home from the flooding. He said messages asking for help and rescue have been coming in like crazy.
“My wife and I are praying for everyone we can as we hear of their need. We are declaring like Elijah the word of the Lord for the diminishing of the rain and waters to recede throughout the region,” Doug said.
Other Christian Leaders Join In
With even more rain expected, more and more Christian leaders are joining Texas pastors in prayer.
RELATED: 4 Ways To Pray When Bad News Comes
Christian financial adviser Dave Ramsey tweeted:
The people of Texas are strong and will bounce back. Right now they need our prayers.
- Dave Ramsey (@DaveRamsey) August 28, 2017
Author Ann Voskamp provided encouragement by posting an article about our God who is a light through the storm:
When you wonder: How God Feels About Storms & Flooding Grief? https://t.co/jcUSeliAgH
- Ann Voskamp (@AnnVoskamp) August 28, 2017
Beth Moore jumped in to help with the relief efforts:
Was sitting in hotel bed in tears-Bible open-when he texted. I wept with relief but also wept-heart breaking-for several million neighbors.
- Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) August 28, 2017
And Evangelist and director of Samaritan’s Purse Franklin Graham tweeted about ways to help:
You can find out more about @SamaritansPurse‘s #HurricaneHarvey response or volunteering here: https://t.co/UhKTuRX7lb
- Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) August 28, 2017
Dan Darling at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission shared an article on how to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. It suggests four specific ways to help those in need: pray, give, sponsor a crisis response bucket, and prepare.
How you can help victims of #Harvey https://t.co/YpRaeZEQAt
- Daniel Darling (@dandarling) August 28, 2017
There are many ways to help, but prayer is certainly something we can all do. It’s power should not be discounted in times like these.
"For religious people, of all sorts, prayer is doing something,” explains Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. “We do believe that God can intervene, to comfort the hurting and even to energize ourselves and others for right action.”
So please, take a minute and join us in lifting up all of those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
"The earnest prayer of the righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results" James 5:16
h/t: The Gospel Herald / Christian Headlines
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