Burning Tornado

“I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying for me.” Rom 15:30

“It would be too dangerous to try to get here, JUST PRAY.” These were the frantic words Bonnie, a member of Broken Bow Berean Church, uttered as she faced the impeding devastation. Late last week Bonnie and her husband Tom fought to save their home and lives as they came to grips with the frightening realization that a wildfire, which was sweeping across hundreds of acres of parched farming lands near her home, was threatening to destroy everything in its path.  From their country home they could see the flames and smell the smoke of the advancing predator. By late afternoon they were busy removing furniture and valuables from the residence which they had just completed building a year ago. Now the fire was just half a mile away; their fate looked inevitable as they faced the foe alone.

It was a burning tornado! Like a red hot blowtorch the raging flames were consuming trees, grass, crops and buildings. Nebraska is now the driest state in the nation and the fire that was raging up by Anselmo was one of many that have broken out as the state battles extremely dry conditions. The landscape is so parched and sunburnt. Oh, do we need rain!

Tom and Bonnie’s pastor acted as a life-line. Though he could not physically get help to them because of the life-threatening conditions, he offered to pray for them and to get the Broken Bow Berean's praying. An email went out to all members and Pastor Larry personally called 40 plus people and relayed the news of Tom and Bonnie’s predicament. The result, in this case, was a stunning display of mercy and grace to the couple and their new home. But it was also a clear indication that God had miraculously intervened - the fire had jumped the road, the last barrier, which stood between their home and the inferno and just stopped. Stopped! The wind direction reversed and the fire was starved. Coincidence? I don’t think so. God graciously answered the cries for help in a mighty display of His sovereign power. He also reminded me, and most probably many others, that corporate prayer is potent to change history.

May your church be encouraged to pray and don’t hesitate to cry out to the Lord when the fires that seek to consume your lives are coming at you and look for others to pray and intercede for you.