Crisis and pressure is a revealer of the true nature of the human heart. Urgent circumstances bring out the best and the worst in people. The overwhelming nature of the disaster in the southern states has shocked our nation and the world. We are faced with a major catastrophe of mind boggling proportions as Hurricane Katrina has devastated portions of the Gulf States and especially the city of New Orleans.
Some have compared parts of the destruction to the Asian Tsunami as whole sections of cities have been destroyed and there is countless loss of life. It appears to be one of the worst disasters in US history. Our President, the National Guard, military personnel, and many compassionate nations are helping in this crisis.
It has been most heart warming to watch people help people as well as call the nation to prayer. While small criminal element are trying to take advantage of this situation for personal gain and exploitation, nevertheless God’s people are stepping up to give desperately needed care to hurting people. Who and what we really are is manifest in a tragedy.
A dear pastor friend of ours for many years, Dr. Charles Green and his son Michael Green, pastor Faith Church in New Orleans. This is an influential congregation of thousands. But their beautiful church facility is under 14 feet of water. They have lost their homes and all their possessions. Their church congregation is scattered and fragmented. At this time they are not yet sure if everyone is safe since there is no power, communication or transportation in and out of the city. Dr. Green told me over the phone that it may be six months before they will be able to return to the city and to their church. Even then the process of rebuilding will just be beginning. They have had to set up a church office and bank account in an adjacent state hundreds of miles away until they are able to recover.
The New Orleans community and others in the region are refugees with hundreds of thousand having nowhere to go and nothing to eat and drink. Only the massive relief efforts of scores of organizations have kept hope alive. Hundreds of churches have become part of the solution during this calamity- opening their hearts and their buildings to people for sanctuary.
This devastation will not only affect the Gulf States but will have repercussions on the American economy as gas prices are already being affected. From the believer’s perspective we understand that catastrophic events such as this will take place around the world as we approach what many believe to be the end of the age and a period of time on earth when everything is shaken.
Thank God for His goodness and mercy in times like these. Thank the Lord for compassionate believers who have a world view that compels them to reach out with the same grace as the good Samaritan. Every church and ministry we know around the nation and the world is getting involved in doing their part to send assistance of some kind.
- The LA Dream Center, for example, is opening their doors to take in 300 refugees for the next six months.
- Doug Stringer of “Somebody Cares” ministry out of Houston is coordinating a massive effort of goods, clothing and transportation, as well as already planning for the reconstruction of the region.
- Another pastor friend, associated with Church Growth International, Pastor Larry Stockstill out of Baton Rouge is organizing operation centers for relief workers and evacuees, providing food, shelter and other resources to people who have been directly affected by the hurricane’s destruction. Pastor Larry leads a congregation of over 10,000 in three locations in the Baton Rouge area, 90 miles north of New Orleans.
- Thousands of other churches, ministries and leaders are focusing their attention on this region of our nation and mobilizing endeavors to help.
Here at The City Church we will be receiving offerings and donations (click here to use our online donation form) for the relief efforts through Faith Church New Orleans and their ministries. We encourage everyone to be a part. We can each give something as we reach out in compassion to minister to our brothers and sisters in Christ who in turn will be able to help thousands of others. Let us all put action to our faith during this national emergency. (James 2)
How we should pray:
- Pray for restoration of law and order
- Pray against the spirits of darkness, and for corruption, crime and destruction to be thwarted.
- Pray for no further loss of life
- Pray for people to find refuge, shelter, food and water
- Pray for emergency workers to be safe and protected
- Pray for the Lord to take what the devil means for evil and turn it into good!
- Pray for people to call on the name of the Lord!