Prayers for the People of Joplin. . .

Gracious God,

In these difficult times, we acknowledge that are deeply confused. . . We struggle to wrap our minds around the news this week in Joplin, how such tragedy can even be possible. And yet, for many of us in this nation, many of us around the world, we are connected to this tragedy through the headlines. For numbers of people in Joplin, the devastation is more than a set of headlines. It is a reality from which they are struggling to grapple, cope, and even escape. They cannot easily free themselves from the reality that has met them on the ground.

We pray for those who have lost loved ones - family members and friends. We pray that even in the midst of grief, Your arms and Your words would be of comfort.

We pray for those who are waiting to be rescued, those who are still in the rubble after Sunday's devastating tornado. We pray that Your presence would be made known to them, and that we would also be present to them in the ways that we are able.

We pray for emergency teams and support staff, that they would do their work with strength even in the midst of weakness, and that they may have relief from the trauma they are witnessing first hand.

We pray for all congregations in Joplin, those from the Christian family and those from other families of faith, that they will surround Your people, and hold them in Your loving care.

We pray that we may trust You even in the midst of such difficulty.

We pray that we can trust You even with our difficult questions. . .

We pray in Your Name. Amen.