CPR: Critical Prayer Required

So last week, just hours before the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan, I was praying about what topic to discuss here and one word came to mind. Flood. Now I was thinking of the floods we have been having here in Connecticut due to the record snowfall this Winter. As warmer weather has begun to move in there are floods everywhere here. One morning I was on my way to work and had to turn back because the road I usually take was completely under water. As I blindly followed the leading of my GPS down roads I had never been down before and didn't even know existed I encountered more and more flooding. Some of the roads were so badly flooded that I had to back up and then gun my engine to plow through the rushing waters fast enough to not lose traction. I'm pretty fearless about a lot of things...but to say I wasn't more than a little concerned as I traveled through unknown territory would be a lie, especially since the youngest of my godchildren was in the car with me. I believe in preparedness, which is probably why I'm not easily shaken about much...but my mind played out every scenario possible that day and the necessary steps I would need to take to ensure not only the safety of my goddaughter, but for myself also should the car get swept off the road. Thankfully, with much prayer, we made it to the next town and were then able to backtrack down safer roads to our destination.

Of course who would think the impact that five letter word, flood, would have before the break of dawn the next day. I don't think anyone could have even dreamt of what was about to happen.
Now, it's here that I was so tempted to go into a long dissection of physical disaster versus spiritual disaster in this entry given the unforeseen and rapid turn of events that the earthquake and tsunami in Japan created. I still think there is much validity to my thoughts, but the reason why I haven't posted sooner is that I just don't feel it is the appropriate time for that. Any armchair quarterback can throw comments out there in response to the minute by minute day by day influx of information. I think for me though, right now is a time for prayer, for mercy and for aid.

Soooo.......please pray for the survivors in Japan that they will be adequately cared for and comforted. Pray for the workers from within Japan's borders as well as around the globe that they will not only be able to do their jobs to the best of their ability, but that they will also be protected and provided for. Most importantly though......pray for the salvation of those who have been affected by this disaster in one way or another and have no hope because they don't know the Father of Hope. If we cannot be there physically to help those in need, then may we at least be there spiritually!

Jeremiah 17:14 (New International Version, ©2011)

¹⁴ Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. 

 JEREMIAH 17:14 (THE MESSAGE)

  ¹⁴God, pick up the pieces.Put me back together again.You are my praise!

Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)

¹¹For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.