Hurricane Harvey began wreaking havoc in Texas Friday, Aug. 25, when the Category 4 storm made landfall. As it moved across southeast Texas and into Louisiana, it downgraded to a tropical storm, dropping record rainfall and causing widespread flooding.
World Vision is responding by providing relief supplies. Several trucks have arrived in the Houston area already with more on their way. Each 53-foot truck has supplies to assist about 2,500 people.
Please pray for Texas as World Vision, our partners, and other humanitarian organizations respond to help people affected by the storm.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.—Hebrews 4:16
Pray for families to reunite.
With cell towers down, many families are separated and have not been able to communicate with each other. Pray that as families seek help, they’re able to also reunite and stay in touch with loved ones.
Loving Father, we know You care about families and the special bonds they share. Help children to be reunited with parents and for spouses to find each other in the midst of the chaos and flooding.
Pray for children.
It’s easy to be scared when you’ve been displaced from your home or even lost your home altogether. Pray for comfort for children, as many are sleeping in shelters amongst strangers or without a favorite blanket or stuffed animal that may have calmed them if it was available. Pray also for the safety of displaced children, as chaos is a key time for predators to seek vulnerable children.
Jesus, we know that You love the children and hurt to see them scared and suffering. Wrap Your loving arms around them so they may know Your great peace in this scary time. Keep them safe from evil people who may want to prey on their pain or confusion.
Pray for those who lost loved ones.
As workers have helped rescue people this week, the death toll has also risen. Pray for families who have lost someone and are grieving on top of all the other problems they face right now.
Comforter, we ask that You be with those who have family members or friends who died in the flooding. The pain is indescribable, but we know that You see their pain and tears and are present. Help them to feel Your peace in the midst of such great pain.
Pray for aid workers and first responders.
In the wake of a natural disaster, communication can be challenging, roads can be unpassable, and plans can be hard to execute as new obstacles develop. Pray for the people who are working to rescue families in trouble as well as those who are administering medical aid and distributing relief supplies.
Lord Almighty, guide the hands and feet of all the people who are working on Your behalf right now. Remove the obstacles they face, and give them grace and patience in difficult circumstances. Renew their energy and strength so they can continue carrying out their work after long hours and fatigue. Revive the spirits of those who have witnessed deaths and who help recover victims’ bodies.
Pray for the clean-up work.
With several feet of water dumped across Texas, clean-up efforts will be extensive as the water recedes. Pray for wisdom for the leaders organizing the efforts and for safety as workers encounter hidden and emerging dangers.
God, we ask You to keep clean-up workers safe as they help communities dig out from the floods. Give them the wisdom to know what to do and how to do it so they don’t injure themselves or others.
Pray for supply-truck drivers.
Relief supplies can’t reach Texas without truck drivers to transport all of the pallets of goods. Pray for safety as they travel and that they’re able to safely reach areas in need.
Lord, as drivers truck in supplies, keep them awake and alert on the road. As they approach the Houston area, give them passable roads so they can reach distribution points quickly and efficiently.
