Helpless

            This morning I am feeling helpless as I read about the loss of life and devastation after the chemical plant explosion in West, Texas. Just yesterday, we drove through West on our way to San Antonio from Flower Mound. I had driven through West numerous times before, stopping at the famous Czech Stop to get gas and a treat to eat. I “knew” West, but now, I will always associate this tragedy with the small Texas town.

            I feel helpless because today I am speaking in San Antonio and cannot do anything to assist people who have lost loved ones or their homes. I can’t provide food or clothing for anyone who might need it.  My home cannot be a place of refuge for a family because I am not there.

            However, if you are feeling like me, and you are unable to respond to this devastation at this time, you can pray:

•        Pray for the comfort of the families who lost loved ones.
•        Pray for the swift rescue of those who are frightened and trapped in the nursing home that collapsed.             
•        Pray for the responders, for the stamina to keep going as they search the rubble for people who might still be unaccounted for.
•        Pray for those who have lost their homes and that they will have places to live while they rebuild.
•        Pray for the area hospitals that are overloaded with victims.  Also pray for the hospital workers who are probably pulling long hours to care for those injured by the blast.
•        Pray West feels the love of the surrounding communities as they pour out assistance to help this community in a time of need.
•        Praise God that this happened in the evening, not during school hours, so many children’s lives were saved because they were not in school at the time.

            Yes, I feel helpless, but I know prayers are powerful and the town of West desperately needs our prayers today.  May the people of West feel the hand of God leading them as they walk through this trial.