3 Urgent Prayers for Texas - Your Daily Prayer - July 7
3 Urgent Prayers for the Texan Communities Affected by Flash Flooding
By Liz Auld
Bible Reading:
“The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.” – Psalm 34:22
I am sure most of you have seen or read the devastating news of the catastrophic flash flooding of the Guadalupe River in south-central Texas that occurred in the wee hours of the morning of July 4. What would have normally been a day of celebration and fun for the community was quickly taken over by rushing, debris-filled waters and horrifying uncertainty. At least 82 people (68 from Kerr County, including 28 children) are confirmed deceased, according to news reports, and at least 41 are still missing; some of the deceased and missing were/are young girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian camp that has been around since 1926. Ten camper girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic are still being searched for (there were 750 children at the camp at the time of the flood).
As a mother, my heart breaks for those parents whose daughters have passed away and those who still don’t know where their child or children are at this moment. I cannot imagine the unrest in their hearts and minds as they search for their loved ones and wait for word from others who are searching. May they know they are not alone in this time of destruction and devastation and that many are praying for them.
What can we do right now? We can join or support agencies and organizations on the ground who will aid in the search and rescue efforts, as well as the clean-up and restoration efforts. We can pray for all the grieving hearts who lost loved ones too soon in this world, and we can pray for the remaining lost to be miraculously found and their families to find comfort in the wait. Join me today in praying for these communities as they hope and grieve. Here are three urgent prayers we can pray for those affected by Texas flood waters today:
A Prayer for First Responders, Ground Teams, and Pilots
Lord, we thank you for every first responder, helicopter pilot, ground team member, medical team member, government worker, aid organizer, media team member, and everyday citizen lending a helping hand since this devastation first occurred mere days ago. We know they are all going on very little sleep and pure adrenaline; they are in desperate need of restoration themselves. Holy Spirit we pray that you would keep their eyes open, their hearts positive, their hands steady, and their voices sure as they call out instructions and reports.
Please keep all the ground team members safe as they navigate debris-filled flood waters by car, truck, and on foot; help them to move as quickly as possible, as safely as possible, to find those still missing who may be injured or hurt. Keep their voices loud and unstrained as they call out to each other and call out for survivors. Move anything that is in their way, out of their way; clear the roadways for them, and help them find new paths when a usual way is blocked. We pray for the helicopter pilots to fly safely as they look for survivors clinging to any object; keep their gas stores from running out too soon, and keep them energized to move as swiftly as possible with survivors so they can head back out for more.
We pray for the doctors and medical teams who await the injured survivors; help them to know quickly what the first step should be for each patient that is ushered through their doors so that the best life-saving care can be administered to as many as possible. We pray for quick recoveries and rest for all. We thank you for the government agents and workers, aid organizations who have already arrived, and the media teams reporting the latest news to keep the local communities as safe as possible, as well as educating the rest of us who are waiting and wondering how we can pray and help. We thank you for the Coast Guard’s aid in conducting rescue missions, and we pray for their safety as they seek to save many others. We thank you for all the helpers who are doing as much as they can every hour of the day; we know they are beyond exhausted. Jesus, give them the strength and ability to continue in their searches. We praise you, Jesus, for You are near to the brokenhearted, and You give strength to the weary. Amen.
A Prayer for the God of Miracles to Save Those Who Are Still Missing
Lord, You know where every unaccounted person is at this very moment. We pray that You would move the debris, pull the flood waters back, and make paths clear for the search and rescue teams so that those missing can be found. We pray that as many as possible could be found alive and taken to hospitals to recover. Please keep the spirits of those alive and missing encouraged as they wait to be found, and keep the spirits of those searching energized, and don’t let them grow weary in the horrifying reality they find themselves in. We pray that You would uncover everything hidden and bring truth to light in the case of each missing person. Most of all, we pray for miracles; You are the God of miracles, and You are able to unite those missing with those seeking. Lord draw near to the families of those waiting for news; grant them Your unwavering peace and comfort as they wait and wonder with uncertain hearts. Thank You that You are always near and never far Jesus, thank You for Your loving presence in good times and bad. Thank You for all You have saved and all You have brought home in the safety of Your arms. We pray for everyone missing to be rescued and saved. In Your name, Jesus, amen.
A Prayer for the Families Who Lost Loved Ones
Lord, we pray for the families of all the flood victims who lost their lives, many of whom lost their lives trying to save others. Please grant the families, friends, and the broader Kerr County community pockets of comfort and peace in the midst of this heavy reality they are living in. We pray that these families would only draw closer to you during this time of intense grief and after, Jesus. Help them to know You are with them in their pain and sorrow. Jesus, you have made it possible, as the Savior of the world, for those who believe and accept Your gracious gift of salvation to enter into eternity the second their body ceases to exist on this earth. Thank You that every believer who lost their life, is with You in heaven, free from pain and suffering, delighting in Your presence. Holy Spirit, we pray for those grieving to hold fast to Your new mercies every morning and to hold them tightly in the dark hours of the night when hopeless thoughts sink in. Help them to release those thoughts of helplessness and hopelessness as they wonder why it had to be their loved one; fill their minds with light and love, and heal the deep wounds that crack open so easily.
Jesus, we pray specifically for the Hanna, Peck, Bonner, Smajstrla, Hunt, Marsh, McCown, Stevens, Childress, and Harber families who lost young girls in the rising flood waters. We also pray for the Harber grandparents, who are still missing. We pray for the family of Dick Eastland, the director of Camp Mystic; we thank you for his bravery in trying to save as many young campers as he could before losing his life in this world. We pray for the family of Jane Ragsdale, director of the Heart O’ the Hills camp, who also lost her life; we thank you that Heart O’ the Hills camp was between sessions with no campers during the flood. We pray for the Ryan family, who lost a beloved son, husband, and dad when he died saving his wife, children, and mother. We pray for the Eads family, who lost a beloved mother/grandmother, and the Zunker family, who lost a beloved teacher and coach and his wife; we pray that their two children, still unaccounted for, may be found soon. May these families find comfort in surrendering their broken hearts to you; please grant them peace in these dark days of grief. To the God who sees every heart and rescues the lost, we pray, amen.
In closing, Lord, we pray for the Texas Hill Country communities to come together despite devastation everywhere they look. We thank You that during this dark time, You are lighting beacons of hope for families, friends, and rescuers to cling to. Help them stay encouraged despite the slow recovery process, and we pray that these communities will only increase in strength and love as they rebuild.
Let’s go out in the world today with more love in our hearts, more kindness in our words, and more humility in our actions, knowing that tomorrow is not promised but today is a gracious gift to be lived out together.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/EricVryn/Stringer
Sources:
CBSnews.com
CNN.com
FOXnews.com
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Liz Auld is the senior managing editor for Salem Web Network; she oversees content across the editorial sites (Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, iBelieve.com, Christianity.com). She has a B.A. in Religious Studies. She used to enjoy reading books from a variety of genres (she has young kids now), she likes trying new recipes (when she remembers to meal plan), and she feels very blessed to have a large, loving extended family who loves to laugh together.
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