Because we don't have a working television, I didn't find out how bad Hurricane Katrina was expected to be until I got on line this evening. And, since I've been reading the news I've just had a steadily more sinking feeling.....like I wish I'd gone to viset New Orleans years ago, because I wonder if it's still going to be there.

But my own personal wish to visit the Big Easy is nothing compared to what the residents must be going through. As you no doubt already know, a huge evacuation has been ordered, but, naturally not everyone is able to evacuate. Some lack the means while others lack the health...

They say that many of the most "fragile" people were given priority to stay at the Superdome - the big football stadium down there. There were pictures of elderly and not-so elderly people on walkers and on oxygen looking about themselves dazedly among the confusion resultant from a large number of people being housed in a football stadium.

They must be so frightened! Many of them are apart from their families, and could bring little with them. Now they have to stay there and wait out a storm that has everyone who is able to go on the run. The most alarmist of the reports say that the whole levee system could collapse, and the whole city be under water! How horrible it would be to have to sit, alone in a crowd, and wait to see if something so terrible will befall them. It gives me such a sick, helpless feeling to think of them, and yet I can't stop thinking of them and praying for them.

This is my prayer. Feel free to pray along or pray your own if you want:

Holy Father,
In your mercy and compassion you have advised us, your children, that we can come to you and call on you for help. You have assured us, through the words of your son Jesus, that the sparrow does not fall from the sky without your notice. And,though the sparrow is innocent, we are told that we are of even more value.
So now I come to you with deep concern and dread for my brothers and sisters in New Orleans. Many people are now fleeing that city in the face of a great storm which surely will distroy many homes, and many people may be left without their worldly goods. Heavenly Father, please bless and comfort these people as they travel. Give them real and practical help. Let your Spirit, which burns in human hearts, rise up into a flame and compel each person to acts of kindness, mercy, love, compassion, and self control as they meet their brothers on the road. Let your hand fall in comfort upon those who fear and lift their burden of fear which leads to anger and to sin. Bless the hearts and minds of the logisticians, police, guardsmen, firefighters, medics and others who have the sacred calling of guiding and carrying out the evacuation. Let them be clear headed, quick thinking, full of compassion and love. Give them streangth, lift them up and pour forth your Spirit upon them. Let every person upon the road feel that You are with them.
But, even more, Oh God, I ask that you bless, protect, and care for every person who is left behind in the city. Almighty God, the wind and waves belong to you and are yours to command. All things follow according to the laws of Nature, which are your holy laws. We are fragile, finite forms, who cannot comprehend, in full, the mysteries of the world in which we live. Perhaps, if not for these storms, we, your people would be subject to an even greater suffering which we cannot comprehend because we have no experience of it. We only know that we are small in comparison the storm. In our fear we are sometimes hasty in our judgement. Some curse you. Some misguided people malign your Holy Name by claiming that you have sent the storm against the city. Father, please forgive these people and draw them nearer to you in understanding your love.

You have given us, in word and deed, the teaching and the example of how to care for the frail, ill, and poor among us,but we are weak. I, myself, am selfish and think very little of the needs of the poor unless they are thrust into my mind by an event like this. Yet, unworthy as I am, I bring this prayer for the safety of every living person who remains in the City of New Orleans. I ask that you be with them, that you send your angels to watch over them. I ask that your Spirit come upon them and rise up in their hearts where it burns, and lead them to acts of love, care, compassion, kindness, and self control. Grant strength to those who know you to comfort those around them who do not know you. Bless every police officer, guardsman, firefighter, care worker and any other person who has selflessly stayed in dangers path for the sake of their weaker brothers. Please open the ways for every practical help and support to reach those people who need it. Grant that there be open and efficient pathways for food, medicine, communication. Oh Father, you are infinite! But please remember how fragile we are in our finite bodies in the physical world! We are so easily frightened, the world is so large to us! And Lord, it sometimes seems that you are far from us, because we cannot comprehend you fully.
Thank you, Holy Father, for hearing my prayer.
Amen.