Hurricane Prayer Update

Christians Called to Make Prayer a Priority
Nightly prayer conferences, radio collaboration all called for in response to Katrina
(CEN, Sept. 2) – Christian Emergency Network (CEN) Founder and CEO Mary Marr has called upon Christians everywhere to make prayer a priority for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and those assisting them. “It is important for Christians to remember, that as so many people just now begin to comprehend the losses they have experienced, that we remember the admonition of the Apostle Paul, who said, ‘Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus’” (Philippians 4:5-7).
Marr explained, “The scope of damage and needs are unprecedented in American history. The need for victims to experience God’s grace, and for rescuers to have the strength and resolve to serve is essential. So we must pray.”
Marr listed a number of specific prayer requests. Immediate prayer is needed for the following:

• Please pray for adequate food, water and shelter centers to be established quickly and efficiently (there could be as many a one million displaced people).
• Continued search and rescue efforts.
• Smooth coordination between federal agencies, non-profit relief organizations and local churches.
• Pray for trained fresh recruits to relieve weary relief workers.
• Pray for a halt to looting and violent crime in the affected cities.
• Speedy repair of the levees and draining of the floodwaters.
• Pray for protection from the outbreak of disease caused by contaminated floodwaters.
  

Let us join with the states that have been hit by Katrina, and stand with them in this time of not only their desperate physical and emotional needs; but the deep spiritual need in our entire nation!
Pray that out of their place of desperation that the people will cry out to the Lord and receive His grace, help and salvation.
Pray that Christians would be compelled to share God’s love through the giving of their resources, their prayers and their bold witness.