PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE DORIAN

Many of us have been praying for and with those who have been affected by Hurricane Dorian. Whereas, there has been various levels of damage incurred in some areas of the Caribbean, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, the Bahamas was decimated. It is overwhelming to consider that thousands of people lost everything - literally everything.

Our feelings of compassion for the residents of the Bahamas are further complicated when we realize that many of them were living basic lifestyles to begin with. Some may question, “Why would the storm come through and destroy this area with these people?” The storm missed areas where people have exorbitant incomes. The storm passed by areas where people have massive wealth and the ability to rebuild without difficulty. The storm turned before coming to areas where people have the capacity to move and start over without major disruptions to their lives. Instead, the storm destroyed an area where people’s lives will be negatively impacted for years and years and years to come.

Additionally, some may question, “Why would a loving God allow a storm to destroy the possessions of people who have little (many who are God-fearing) and spare the possessions of people who have much (many whose trust in their riches)?”

We are sometimes challenged when we witness those who doing wrong prospering, and those who are greedy gaining more, and those who disrespect and disregard people advancing forward. We, understand why the Psalmist stated in Psalm 73:3, “For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” We understand why Jeremiah asked the question in Jeremiah 12:1, “... Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?” We understand because we have the same questions? “Why do bad things happen to those who are already struggling, causing them to struggle and suffer more while good thing happen to those who already have much – many times having gained it through immoral and deceptive activities?”

My answer to those questions are simply and honestly, “I do not know.” However, the Psalmist does provide encouragement in Psalm Chapter 37 as we seek ways to respond to those questions through a spiritual perspective:

1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green

herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

I do not know why. However, I do know that when I trust in the Lord, delight myself in the Lord and commit myself to the Lord, I place the Lord in control of my life, and have confidence that He knows what he is doing.