A prayer after Irma and Harvey (with help from Psalm 23)
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The Lord is my storm-shelter;
I shall not fear.
He prompts me to wisely prepare in advance,
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and store provisions for myself and others.
He leads me to secure homes, churches, and businesses
with sandbags and plywood.
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He even guides me to flee and seek higher ground
—or safety miles away—because sometimes
the bravest action is to run.
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Even when a category 5 hurricane threatens,
and dark winds and waves crash upon me,
I will fear no evil.
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For I know that I am not alone.
for you, O God, are with me,
my family and friends, they comfort me,
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and strangers risk their very lives to rescue me.
You’ve prepared a table before me in emergency shelters,
and you provide food, medicine, and clothing
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through the charity of people nationwide.
How strange that the worst nature can throw at us
can somehow bring out the best in humanity,
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and though our homes are damaged by floods,
our cups overflow with kindness.
When it seems like we’ve lost everything,
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we realize that to be alive is to be rich!
Surely we will survive this tempest and others yet to come,
both physically and spiritually,
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because of the lessons learned only by storm survivors.
And we will dwell in thankfulness,
with God and one another, forever.