Does God even hear our prayers?
So many people in the middle of terrible fire-grounds have been heard to say things like ‘I’m an atheist, but I prayed with everything I had’. Some stories of great answers of prayer have circulated with changed winds, moments of relief, wonderful turns of flame. Many believers like us have been praying along with them. For people far away like us, prayer is our first best option. (Though I think we agree that we could take stewarding our bit of the creation more seriously too!)
Alongside the prayers in my head, questions swirl. Does God…? Why does…? So I pray them: ‘How long, God?’ ‘God, why do you?’ Just like the psalms. I can answer the questions later, with either confusion or clarity. But for now, we pray.
This prayer might give you some words to pray if you feel out of them.
Dear Father,
This is your world. It hurts by your permission, which confuses us. We have made a much bigger mess of it on top, which dismays us. Sometimes all this pain stops us in our tracks. Disaster is on us right now. It catches in our throats, God.
You do not promise to save us from disasters. We wish you would. But you do promise to hear the prayers of your children, and you know how to give very good things to all sorts of people. So by your promise or just by another great unexpected kindness, we ask you now to save many people from disaster.
Nothing says we should expect no more loss of life, but we ask for it. We ask for safety for residents, for emergency personnel, and for those fighting fires directly. We pray for them especially. We really admire their work, Father, and we ask you to be with them.
Nothing says businesses should survive such shocks, but we pray for the businesses, and the people who own them, run them and work in them. We pray you would provide for them and do it by many generosities small and large. We pray you would protect peoples’ hearts, minds, spirits and bodies.
Nothing says communities must pull together in trouble. Some fall apart. But we pray that you would produce the best of human kindness in suffering communities. Move your churches to act with love there, even in pain. Move everyone to love.
Nothing says we should expect rain, but we ask for it above all. Deep, real, drenching rain would be such a relief, Father.
Father, we breathe the same smoke, but feel quite far away. Help each of us to know how to help in the coming days, in whatever way. For now, Father, we pray knowing this is no small thing we do before you in all your greatness..
Father, hear our prayers.
Amen.