The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:10-11
Most glorious and gracious Father, it’s not just social media footage from a faraway country. It’s our friends, families, and those you deem our neighbors to love. The wind, rain, and storm surge of Florence have forced evacuations, are damaging homes, livelihoods. And more is ahead.
As the sun rises, veiled by threatening storm clouds, we lift our gaze and hearts to you. Florence is big, but you are bigger. We come, no, we run to the one who sits enthroned over the flood—the eternal King, who does all things well. We come praying for the people and properties along the coast of North and South Carolina, and other areas surely to be impacted as well.
We know the rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous, even as the sun rises on the evil and the good (Matthew 5:45). And we rejoice that the present world will never be destroyed again by floodwaters. But there are two things we do ask for—two things King David mentioned in this Psalm, two things you’ve promised—strength and peace.
Grant us strength (especially to first-responders) for serving one another in love—whether we live near or very far away. As Florence continues her landward movement, more people will be disheartened, despairing, and displaced. Strengthen hearts, backs, and arms for what lies ahead. This is a time for neighbor love, not self-preoccupation.
Grant us your peace for acting wisely, trusting boldly, and loving deeply. We pray for those most vulnerable and anxious. We especially think of the elderly, children, and the homeless. We boldly ask for a minimal loss of life.
Lastly, Father, we praise you today for the gospel—the Rock, the ultimate trustworthy foundation for any and every storm of life (Matthew 7:24-27). Thank you for rescuing us from building our lives on all kinds of “shifting sands,” that Jesus mentions. As we long for the Day of no more hurricanes, tornadoes, and typhoons, we are grateful that you have hidden our lives safely and eternally in Christ. So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus’ strong and peace-giving name.
