Five Prayers for Kerrville by Dr. Lisa Burkhardt Worley

Like many of you, I have been deeply saddened by the events that occurred over the weekend in Kerr County, Texas. I am mourning with those whose loved ones were swept away by the flood waters, even though I don’t know them personally. However, instead of six degrees of separation, in this case, there seems to be one degree. I have friends who have lost relatives or know people who perished, and that makes this situation more personal.

I grew up in San Antonio, about an hour away from Kerrville, and I have been to Kerrville many times. I distinctly remember seeing the Hunt, Texas city sign as well as some of the camp signs in that area. As I think about this horrific tragedy, it is easy to blame God. We can ask, “Why did you let this happen, LORD?” “Why did innocent children have to die?” But then I think of the questions that Job asked God, in light of his hardships, and God’s answer was:

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7)

Even in the worst of times, and in the most devastating of tragedies, we must still trust God. I am on vacation in a very peaceful place, and I feel helpless. I want to lend a hand and assist in some way, but cannot. If you are feeling like me, one of the most powerful things we can do is pray. I’ve created a few prayers for Kerrville and the families of victims. Will you join me in these prayers?

1. Lord, please guide those men and women involved in the search and recovery. Please give them the strength and stamina they need as they wade through brush and debris. We pray that you protect their hearts, as they may find victims of the flooding.
2. Father, we lift up the city and county officials who may have had many sleepless nights since the flooding started. We ask that you provide the emotional and mental strength as they continue to lead the area during a time of crisis.
3. Heavenly Father, please comfort the families of the victims. We cannot imagine what the parents of the campers are feeling right now, but we ask that they feel your supernatural comfort and peace as they deal with the loss of their child or children. We pray that they feel your love around them at this time.
4. We pray that buildings and terrain in Kerr County will be restored. That you will guide the rebuilding process, and that life will return to some sense of normalcy again.
5. We ask that you place a protective covering over all of the areas affected and that nothing like this will happen again. In the name of Jesus we pray, AMEN.

You can also help financially. Here’s a link to a place where you can donate to help the flood victims: https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201. We know that this world is not perfect, and there will always be acts of nature that snuff out lives. It’s during these times that we need God more than ever.

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