Prayer for Those in the Path of Ivan

[RevNeal]

Creator of this glorious world, please hear the humble voices of your children. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control; the storms, the winds, the rain, the water ... they wash over us and we cannot stop their advance. The oceans and seas, like a provoked and angry giant, have awakened from their seeming lethargy and have overstepped their conventional boundaries, invaded our land, and spread chaos and disaster everywhere they go. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O God, the maker of seas and of the land, knowing that you can heal tattered spirits, comfort those who fear, and calm the raging storms within and without. Spare those who have suffered from the gale the fears of future storms. Heal their wounded souls, their broken bodies, their shattered communities, and give them peace in knowing that no matter how bad the circumstances may become, you are with them. We also pray that those who are currently in the path of any and all storms, that they might be spared from the calamities common these gales. We do not understand why some storms do one thing, while others do another; but we do know that, no matter what they may do, you will be with those who stand in the path of destruction. Protect, guide, heal, and deliver them all from the snare of these dangerous storms. In Your mighty and loving name we pray. Amen.

[RuthC]

So be it.

[Sage]

Thank you so much for such comforting words. Amen.

[nhgover]

Amen

[doone]

Ditto, Amen.

[DFD1]

Thank you for your prayer. The people along the Gulf coast are in for a real beating. That is a wonderful part of this great country. Lovely towns and cities, great people, beautiful beaches.....splendid way of life for so many. I'm afraid it is really going to be hit very hard.

Think prayerful thoughts.

[LoveLifeAtSea]

AMEN

[HeatherInFlorida]

Amen, RevNeal, and thank you.

[superstein61]

Amen Rev !!!

[Ziggy7]

Amen!

[Vicar]

Amen , and thank you for those beautiful words

[hdawson]

Ditto and AMEN. Thanks Rev.

[elmorejj]

Thank you for the prayer. The power of prayer is awesome ,as is the power of the Almighty. It brings to mind the Hymn we sang in church in the UK "Eternal Father strong to save, whose arm doth bind the restless wave"....jean :cool:

[jhannah]

What a poignant hymn, indeed! I add my amen to Greg's thoughtful prayer.

[CINCY40]

We join you in your prayer. Amen.

Nancy

[SHayesShip]

Thank You.
My Sis and her family vacated their home yesterday. They live near Pensacola, FL and have driven to Southern Ohio to stay with relatives.
I am scheduled to fly to Pensacola next Tuesday if God is willing.

[ger_77]

RevNeal: thank you for that wonderful prayer. We have friends(whom we met on previous cruises) who live just outside of New Orleans who left their home yesterday - they travelled some 400 miles north before they were able to find a hotel room . Other cruise friends from Picayune, Mississippi will be leaving today and we send our prayers to them, as well as everyone in the hurricane's path, hoping for safekeeping of them all.

We'll keep our eyes on the weather channel.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[BLStokes23]

RevNeal - Thank you for your beautiful prayer. We have seen so much destruction the past couple weeks in other parts of Florida. Now, I'm afraid that Ivan is coming pretty close to Pensacola. Everyone here is taking this very seriously and plans are in place to make the best of things, whatever may happen.

[Tide Pride]

RevNeal... Thank you for your eloquent prayer to our father, the God of the Universe. As one who presently is in the direct path of this monster, it is terrifying to imagine the possibilities of what could happen. For those of us of faith it is comforting to know that others in the community are offering prayers for us. I am sorry that I can not talk to our father in the beautiful way you can, but I believe he still listens.
God bless

[CanSail]

AMEN
And thank you Rev.
Please send us another lovely prayer when our winter storm season hits, maybe I will just take this beautiful one and add snow.
God Bless Rev. and Happy Sailing To All

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Nicely said Greg, I am sure we are all keeping those that may be in Ivan's path in our prayers. I just pray that some how it looses some or all of it's steam and fizzles out quicklly. I also pray that those it has effected already can recover quickly.

[iluvcruzin]

Amen Rev Neal. My sister is in a shelter right now in Gulfport Ms. I tried to talk her into staying with me a few days ago but she wanted to ride it out down there. I've tried calling and get no answer - this is a good thing which means she's evacuated. She lives a couple miles from the gulf (in the 2nd zone if people are familiar with the area).