Our heavenly Father, creator of all things and especially the creator of this land and its original peoples, we call out to you in these desperate times as we see the first catastrophic fire warnings for New South Wales, as fires have already swept across several parts of our land.
Our hearts cry out to you in desperation for those whose properties are affected by ravaging fires and whose very lives are in danger.
Father we pray, in your mercy, restrain the forces of nature from creating catastrophic damage; in your mercy protect human life.
Guard those who selflessly step into the breech to fight these fires. Guide police and authorities who help evacuate and shelter those who are displaced. Bring comfort and healing to all who suffer loss.
Remembering that long ago you extended your hand through your servant Moses to stop the waters and then to return the waters to their normal course, so we pray for rain.
In your mercy, we pray for drenching rain.
We pray that despite the forecasts, in your miraculous power you would bring forth rain to quench these fires and to bring life back into the earth, so that crops may grow and farmers may bring forth the harvest of the land again.
We bring these requests before your throne, in the name of your Son, who died and rose again for our deliverance,
Amen.
This prayer comes from the President of the NSW Council of Churches, the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies.
Originally published on SydneyAnglicans.net.
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Remembering Ravi Zacharias
The Christian evangelist Ravi Zacharias passed away this week – at the age of 74.
If you are not familiar with him – he was a brilliant preacher and teacher who travelled the world discussing arguments for the existence of God and the reasonableness of Christianity.
He spoke behind the iron curtain, preached to troops in the Vietnam war – and gave speeches at the UN several times. His best-selling book, Can Man Live Without God?, sold more than half a million copies.
Zacharias always identified with the Apostle Thomas – the doubter. Perhaps you do as well – that’s why he is worth listening to. The arguments he uses are worth checking out – just google RZIM and you will come up with some great material from Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.
The world has lost a great Christian thinker.
I’m Russell Powell for the NSW Council of Churches.