My friends, family and I feel helpless. What can we do to change the situation where it seems like our whole province is on fire? Some of my friends have it worse — they have family members out there, fighting the flames. Fire is unpredictable, but we can rely on the Lord to hear our prayers.
1. Protection for the Firefighters
Father, there are men and women on the front lines fighting the flames all over British Columbia and in parts of Washington State. They put their lives at risk to protect people, structures, animals, and the natural world.
These are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, grandchildren, and friends. Please give them your peace and cover them in a supernatural calmness that allows them to think clearly and quickly. Please keep them from harm.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12)
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear (Psalm 118:5-6)
2. The Lord’s Power to Be Revealed
“Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us” (Psalm 68:28). Lord, you are in total control, even though the fires are so wild. Every time the wind picks up, it whips up the flames, and with more flames come more winds.
But you, Oh Lord, are Sovereign. Please show your great might and your mighty mercy and bring rain. Bring an end to the fires.
Please place your hand over every dancing strand and glowing ember. We long to hear your “yes” in answer to our pleas for the crisis to end.
And we long, as your people, for non-believers to be struck with awe, to recognize your omnipotence, and to submit their lives to you in reverence and repentance.
Lord, please make yourself known to those of our loved ones who are still walking away from you or even using these fires as an excuse to deny that you are real or that you are good.
3. Help Us to Be Reasonable
There’s a part of us that wants to cry and yell and get mad and lose focus. A part that wants to be a small child and pretend the bad stuff isn’t real. Maybe if we close our eyes, it will go away?
But it won’t. It’s here and now, and we have to deal with the potential for homes and possessions to be destroyed.
We have to face the possibility of being squished together in temporary accommodation, losing our independence, and relying on the help of others.
It’s not easy, Father, to be sensible when we go to our cars, our bicycles, and our bus shelters and see ash like snow; when we look up at the sky, all we can see is a curtain of smoke.
The crisis is real, it’s close for some, and it’s upon others. Evacuees are not camping out at fairgrounds and living out of tents and trailers. The cities not on evacuation alert look like refugee camps, and it’s unsettling.
But Paul said, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). Help us to be sensible and humble in the middle of crisis, to be the voice of peace and calm when others cannot find their feet. To respond to their fear and panic with steadiness and peace.
You did not promise we wouldn’t suffer, Lord; instead, you told us we would have trouble, and you left us something to help us deal with that: a Helper — your Spirit.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
4. Protection for Vulnerable People
Besides firefighters, Lord, there are others who suffer more when the smoke is thick or when there is a crisis.
Certain groups are easily scammed into giving up their money or, in their kindness, welcome unsavory people into their homes — protect these people, please God! Stop the scammers from getting their feet in those doors.
Father, where there are situations of domestic unrest, please prevent bullies and abusers from using this time as an opportunity to oppress their victims or hide their crimes against children, their spouses, or elderly relatives.
And for those with asthma, COPD, heart disease, vertigo, and other conditions affected by the smoke — or who have discovered a new and virulent reaction to it — Lord, let there be help nearby. Find them pockets of fresh air.
Supernaturally extend the supply of every prescription they need and make refills readily available. Cause them to marvel at your provision Lord and to wonder how it is they are doing so well when at this time, of all times, they would expect to be much sicker.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5)
Let them know how close you are, and how special it is to be humble and weak. This is when your power is most profoundly visible.
5. Help Us to Be Grateful
Kindness is already on show. Concerned citizens bring water and food to evacuees. Charities collect money, and generous people give. Those of us in affected but not immediately critical areas have time to collect our belongings and plan our escape — we are fortunate.
This has not been the case for victims of other fires, such as Lahaina and Lytton. There isn’t always a warning, but we got one.
Remind us of how precious this is: time to collect important items like photographs, important books, keepsakes, money, documents, food, clothing, and water; time to contact loved ones and tell them where we are, or to find out where we can go if we have to leave; time to assess what our treasures are.
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34).
Lord Almighty, give us discernment and, with that peace already mentioned, help us to recognize what is important. Jesus had nowhere to lay his head (Matthew 8:20), but he had Your constant presence, Father. His ministry did not rely on having “things.”
His ministry relied on what he could not lose. You did not bring us here to enjoy happy, easy lives, but to glorify You and enjoy a relationship with You, to obey, love, and share You. We can do all of those things without a home to live in or any of the certainties we take for granted.
Join Us in Prayer
For many of you, God is a vague concept you toy with whenever there is trouble. I invite you to turn to him, right now, if you are afraid for any reason.
He does not ignore those who call out to him but be prepared to listen to his answer. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).
The Lord is not good because he makes bad situations go away; the Lord is good because He never forsakes His people.
The present kingdom is a mess, it’s broken, but that’s all the more reason to cling to hope that He has a better, perfect Kingdom waiting for those who love him. Pray with us and experience his presence.
Pray with us and intercede for those who will not pray or who are most at risk. Choosing to lift them up in supplication to God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Master of these fires, is a generous and humble offering, and it is an invitation to the Lord to come into your distress and comfort you also.
“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:6). God sends helpers to you, and you can be a helper to others in prayer.
For further reading:
What Does the Bible Say about Natural Disasters?
Why Is There Suffering in the World?
What Happens When Our Faith Is Tried or Tested by Fire?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/gorodenkoff
Candice Lucey is a freelance writer from British Columbia, Canada, where she lives with her family. Find out more about her here.
This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery
Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father