By Inger J. Logelin Have You Thought? Out of prayer where we seek God‚s heart, comes His compassion compelling us to reach out to our neighbors.
"In the chaos left behind Hurricane Katrina˜called the worst storm ever to hit America's shores˜one response is emerging above all others: Prayer. Survivors are acknowledging God, thanking Him and asking for prayer. President Bush urged America to pray. As the storm approached, James Goll, author of The Lost Art of Intercession, asked others to "join in prayers of desperation in a desperate time!" He urged prayer for mercy. He said, "I strongly urge you to enter into identification through intercession and call forth the blood of Jesus to cleanse our nation of witchcraft and immorality . . ."
New Orleans was to be the site September 1-5 of one of the gay world‚s largest events, "Southern Decadence Day," a five-day, round-the-clock street party attracting approx. 120,000. Obviously, this event will not take place. Even the websites for the event have been shut down. In Mississippi the gambling industry has been hit hard, with every one of the offshore casinos in Mississippi destroyed.
In the horrific aftermath of the storm, the National Clergy Council and the Christian Defense Coalition have petitioned President Bush to declare a national day of prayer and fasting for the victims of the hurricane. Kathleen Blanco, governor of Louisiana asked residents to spend Wednesday, August 31 in prayer. The Associated Press reports Blanco saying, "That would be the best thing to calm our spirits and thank our Lord that we are survivors." Bloggers across the internet are calling on their readers to join them in prayer.
As the nation prays there are those rising up in Christ‚s name to meet desperate needs. Churches, grassroots organizations, and relief agencies are responding. World Relief, the relief and development agency that works in the U. S. and 24 countries around the world, will be equipping churches in the affected area with resources for clean up and rebuilding. World Vision is mobilizing urgently needed supplies from their regional warehouses. "We Can‚t Say No" On Wednesday the governor of Louisiana ordered the 25,000-40,000 in the Superdome and 200 other shelters to be evacuated to Houston‚s Astrodome. The Houston-headquartered ministry Somebody Cares finds itself in the right place at the right time. Doug Stringer, president of Somebody Cares America/International says, "How can we say no?" Stringer said, "Within hours after the entire evacuation from New Orleans was ordered, Somebody Cares had become one of the area's command central‚ locations for Hurricane Katrina relief. Because of our long-standing partnerships locally and globally, radio and television stations and other agencies give our number when others call for help."
One request coming from refugees from New Orleans said, "We‚ve got 30 people in three rooms, two babies and another baby with cancer. . . we don‚t have anything. The YMCA told us to call you." Another request was to help 175 people who needed a place to stay. Somebody Cares is determined to be the "hands and feet of Jesus in the midst of daily need˜physical, emotional, and spiritual˜in our communities, throughout the nation, and around the world." Stringer says, "Though the needs are magnified during times of crisis, this is what Somebody Cares does every day. . . "We can't say no, but we can't do it alone. We need help." Stringer is asking for prayer, finances for immediate needs, and then resources for recovery."
Transformation Moment - "The way to enjoy indestructible peace and joy is to determine:
1. To do whatever God commands, however difficult. 2. To endure whatever God appoints, however severe. 3. To obtain whatever God promises, however seemingly unattainable. 4. To die daily, however costly the crucifixion. 5. To love my enemies,‚ however misunderstood in this. 6. To pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks." Leonard Ravenhill in Revival God's Way
Thanks for your prayers during this time... Your servant in Christ, Steve Loopstra
Prayer Transformation Ministries
810 S. 7th St. w Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 612-278-1714 w Fax: 612-278-1711
Email: PTM@prayertransformation.com
Web site: http://www.prayertransformation.com
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