the oklahoma tornado post {and what i find most compelling about times of crisis}

there is a quiet little corner behind my closet door where i go to pray.  last night i let my knees fall, my eyes close and my hands open as i wrestled with God through what happened in oklahoma yesterday.

one article i read quoted a spokesperson from the mayor's office as saying - please send us your prayers.

regardless of our spiritual beliefs, certain situations demand that we seek help beyond ourselves.  i find that compelling.

we may never be able to explain why certain devastating events occur at certain times, impacting certain people but i believe that what c.s. lewis said may be true...

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

this doesn't necessarily indicate that God causes pain - though He could {and would} if it would ultimately lead to what is best for us.
it does indicate that God is with us in our pain.  he is close to the brokenhearted.  he binds them up.  many of us meet Him for the first time in those dark places where His light is gleaming bright.  and despite the pain we are changed forever...for the better.

and so i pour my prayers out at times like these.

as i spoke aloud my words last night i knew they were heard by a God who holds everything together even when it feels like everything is falling apart.  i thanked Him for the gift of feeling safe and sound inside of my home while others lay scared and broken outside of theirs.

i was reminded that during these times when i find myself on solid ground i have a duty to rise up and stand firm for those whose legs are shaking and whose ground feels as though it is crumbling beneath their feet.

and for those who can't let their guard down...those who keep looking over their shoulder in fear of what might come next...for them i can be vulnerable on my knees with my head bent down in vulnerable submission.

for those who feel weak my prayers must be strong.

and as my words rose in boldness i pleaded with God to use His megaphone to speak His promises, His truth, His mercy, His love to the people who need it most today...just as He did for me on the dark days when we first met.

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
 and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me 
and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him 
and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps 
around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me;
 I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?

Keep your tongue from evil 
and your lips from speaking deceit.

Turn away from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
 and his ears toward their cry.

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, 
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
 and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
 and saves the crushed in spirit.

~David