With Deepest Gratitude for the Grace of 19 Heroic Arizona Firemen, June 30, 2013

Today is a difficult day for all of us across America, within Arizona and within the communities of Yarnell and Prescott, Arizona, as we hear of the fatalities of 19 brave and courageous men of the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew of the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department.  However, our sadness pales in comparison to the suffering of the families, friends and fellow Firefighters, as they begin to take in the reality of this sudden and devastating loss.  At this point, we can only pray:

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.