Dear Lord, it is in You that we place our trust. In these times of tragedy and loss, feelings
arise that we do not know how to handle - it is overwhelming. How do we
understand this loss?
Nineteen men, with tremendous skills and amazing bravery
were on the fire line doing their jobs – protecting community members and their
homes. Yet, no matter how skilled and
knowledgeable, we are not always aware of what we do not know, what will happen
next, where the winds will pick up and where the fire will proceed. These brave men know this is a part of their
job.
In this particular time in the history of the United
States, many feel that we as a Country have lost our integrity and are faltering
– we often find among us, less-than-ethical politicians, people wanting to take advantage
of others, a growing lack of human decency and respect – yet, also among us, we find these 19 brave men of amazing ability and integrity. This grave loss actually gives us hope in the
Human Spirit. To know that these young
men saw their potentially imminent death and took the last and final cover for
their own safety, not knowing the outcome – on our behalf, makes our every-day
complaints trivial. Dear Lord, please help
us to strive, as individuals of this Country, to realize what we are capable
of, as individuals, as a community and as a Country. In order to honor these men, we must each do
more to make the community of the Human Spirit of these United States better
for everyone and for all of us.
At this time, let us lead with prayer for the Mothers,
Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Spouses, Children and extended Families of each of
these fallen men. There are no words to
comfort their sadness, to replace their loss or to lessen their grief; but let
us honor these heroes so their families know we are standing with them and by
them through this most difficult time.
Dear Lord, let us also remember all the families who have
been displaced and have lost their homes or their livelihoods; let us ask for
healing for each of them in their grief and in their loss. Let us also pray for the Firefighters who are
still fighting the fire and risking their own lives, knowing they have
experienced this immediate loss of their fellow team members and comrades.
In Your Name and with our deepest gratitude, we ask for your
gracious blessings.
