How Do We Pray When Damage Is Inevitable?

We are never without recourse in a time of trouble.

Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed when I want to pray for those in catastrophic situations. Despite changes that can avert destruction, there is what seems to be inevitable in projected reports. There is the history of recurring events. Lastly, but not least, are the prophecies in the Bible about what will occur as the time for Jesus' return nears.

I wonder sometimes what the use of praying is. What good will it do in circumstances like this? This makes me feel like we are sitting ducks, and that there is nothing that we can do. We are never, however, without recourse, and that recourse is still prayer. There is never a time when prayer will not help.

First of all, if we have faith that God can do anything, we pray that absolutely no damage will be done. That's it! We pray that somehow the storm will be turned away from human harm. We pray that it will miraculously abate, dry up and dissipate.

Next, if we can't bring ourselves to pray that, because we find it incomprehensible to believe, we pray that damage will be minimal and no lives will be lost. We pray that everyone will find safe shelter and that homes will remain standing.


Finally, if that type of prayer does not resonate in the face of a catastrophic event, we pray that the hearts of everyone who does not know him will be turned to Jesus. We pray this for those who are in the eye of destruction and for everyone involved.

All of these prayers really can be combined into one cry to God for help:

Help Us Lord!

Help Them Lord!

Have Mercy On Us Lord!

Deliver Them Lord!

Dear Jesus My Savior

You said you would never leave nor forsake those who love you.

Help those in this terrible situation come
to love you in all circumstances.

I know that you are at the right hand of Our Father,
always praying for us.

Dear Father God

You said Fear thou not, for I am with you.
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you. I will help you.
I will hold you up with my right hand of righteousness. 

 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand saying
"Fear not, for I am with you".

(Isaiah 41:10,13) 

Help those in this destructive situation come to love
and rely on you in the same way. 

Have mercy on them and everyone involved,

friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers,

first responders, medical personnel,

city/government officials,

clergy.

So in writing this encouragement to help others, I talk myself into victory.

Victory in faith.

Victory in spiritual action.

Victory in prayer. 

I Believe In Prayer, No Matter What!