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As the nation lays to rest the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, many will remember him as a man of faith.
At the same time as his departing services, the world watches much of the Los Angeles area engulfed in flames, destroying homes and entire neighborhoods.
The hurt and pain that these fellow Americans are enduring is incomprehensible. Christians and fellow Americans must send prayers, donate blood, give to missions such as Samaritans Purse and volunteer in any way they physically can.
Disasters like wildfires test the faith of believers, troubling even the most devoted individuals.
Such events also serve as a time to share the Gospel and explain the salvation story found in Jesus Christ.
Rest assured, chaplains throughout the nation, most volunteers, have been activated and are waiting to head to California.
Throughout history, we have typically seen the same approach when hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters occur. Christians are mobilized and enter service for the good of humanity (their neighbor) and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
It is always tough to have conversations about the disasters that greatly affect humanity on earth. We must trust the Lord in His providence and understand that faith can never be destroyed.
With any disaster, words cannot express our heartfelt sorrows and sympathy, especially for those who have lost loved ones or their entire livelihoods. We can pray and should model the likes of prayer warriors of the past, such as David, giving petitions in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
We can model the Book of Common Prayer in such tragedies:
Almighty God, by your Word you laid the foundations of the earth, set the bounds of the sea, and still the wind and waves. Surround us with your grace and peace, and preserve us through this wildfire in California. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, strengthen those who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill us with the hope of your new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.[i]
As Christians, let us remember to serve our fellow man, never forgetting the greatest commandment:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40).
The United States continues to be a special place, unique to the rest of the world. God’s providential dealings with the nation have proved as much. Allow times of despair to unite the nation, like times of the past. Pray for those suffering and serve your fellow neighbor.
[i] The Book of Common Prayer, (Huntington Beach: Anglican Liturgy Press, 2019), 654.
