Keep it going.

It seems like everyone is posting on Facebook that we need to pray for those suffering from Hurricane Harvey in Texas. No argument there. Anyone who's been through a hurricane, let alone 2 and one half hurricanes in three weeks like we did in 2004 appreciates the prayers being lifted on their behalf. It's the only thing that enables you to come out on the other side with any kind of sanity.

For those of you who've never experienced a hurricane, the aftermath can be as bad or worse. Insurance companies are more concerned about the bottom line than the people who pay into that bottom line. Contractors and repairmen descend on the area like locusts and many do not have the work ethic that's needed to restore the damage, let alone improve anything.  In 2004, China was building the Three Gorges Dam and concrete was hard to come by everywhere else.

I wrote to my Congressman and one Florida Senator at the time, asking for pressure on insurance companies who refused to understand that insurance is a pre-paid service. The response I got from both was, "It's not a national issue." A year later, those same men were more than willing to assist the people suffering from Katrina. The cobbler's children go barefoot and the baker's children go hungry, I guess.


For those encouraging everyone to pray, I say a hearty AMEN! I wasn't on Facebook when Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne hit Sebastian between September 4, 2004, and September 25 of the same year. I don't know if the same call for prayer was going on or not. I hope so. Sometimes, it felt like we were fighting the battle all by ourselves, especially after the Congressman and Senator refused any assistance in dealing with corrupt insurance companies.

It's often been said prayer is hard work. I cringe when I hear those words, but it's true. Most of the time, I feel like I'm chanting like the heathen do rather than pouring my heart out to Almighty God.

Does anyone else feel that way? Is that why the churches were full after 9/ll and Congress sang "God Bless America" on the Capitol steps, only to forget all about prayer and the Lord within a very few days? How long did it take for church attendance to return to what it was? How long before Congress was back at partisan bickering over politics? I say again, I heartily concur for those calling for prayer for the suffering in Texas. 

There are other forms of prayer and I wonder how often we express those. How often do we (I) worship Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe? Are my prayers filled with asking God to bless
rather than thanking Him for the way He has blessed? Do I whine because He hasn't done things the way I expected Him to, forgetting His thoughts and ways are not the same as mine? His thoughts and ways are far superior, but am I willing to admit that? Is my attitude petulant when He needs to chastise me for sin? Do I ignore Him when He reminds me that sin is there like Cain did after murdering his brother?

I learned a long time ago that good works is not the way to heaven, but do I still try to manipulate God with good works, rather than coming to Him in adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication like He longs for me to do? Am I wholehearted in my devotion to Him, or am I paying lip service, like many of us have done by praying during emergencies and then ignoring Him during the good times? Do my prayer times say I love the Lord and enjoy Him, as the Creed calls for me to do, or am I dutifully putting in time so I won't feel guilty?

II Chronicles 7:14 says, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, Then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin, and heal their land."

The way things are going in America right now, it's pretty obvious Texas isn't the only place that needs prayer.  Keep it going.