Flooding in British Columbia

Southern British Columbia floods

CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) is calling its members to prayer amid disastrous flooding, mudslides, and strong winds leading to the displacement of thousands living in British Columbia.  

In Chilliwack, the basement of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church experienced some flooding, but the city is not as badly affected as the surrounding farms. Rev. Jakob Valsson of Trinity Lutheran Church in Abbotsford reported that the building is on high ground, but the valley around Abbotsford is mostly farmland and is subject to seasonal flooding; however, the magnitude of this flooding is unusual, and the extent of the agricultural devastation, especially the loss of livestock, will not be fully known for some time.  

Further to the east, parishioners from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kamloops who live in Merritt have been seriously affected, as Merritt is under an evacuation order, and Rev. Andrew McDonald reports that it has been difficult to reach them, and it is unlikely that the conditions will have improved in time for him to conduct a Divine Service there on Sunday. “It’s hard to say how devastating this will be for Merritt and the saints who live there,” he said, “but I fear it will be bad.” Kamloops itself has not been flooded, but people are panic shopping and grocery store shelves are going bare. “It would mean a lot to us if the members of Synod remember our province in their prayers, especially those who have been displaced by the flooding,” said Rev. McDonald.  

LCC President Rev. Timothy Teuscher offers the following prayer, as well as a suggested Psalm.  

Prayer 

Almighty God, merciful Father, as we come to the end of another church year and see the various signs of the end times, especially natural disasters in various places, we look to the glorious coming of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, when the earth will be restored. You are the Lord of the cattle on a thousand hills, Who remembers even each sparrow, and Who knitted each one of us together before we were born, and so we ask You to shine Your face upon all who suffer in these days. In the midst of the devastating flood that is ravaging parts of British Columbia, we implore You to keep Your people from despair, and sustain and comfort them by Your Word and Spirit. Direct all efforts to attend to the homeless and the injured. Console the bereaved. Protect the helpless. Sustain all who labour tirelessly to rescue the stranded and feed the hungry. Bring hope and relief to all who have been impacted by the flood waters. Strengthen Your people in their service to their neighbours who are suffering that such works of mercy might redound to the glory, honour, and praise of Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

Psalm 46 

God is our refuge and strength, 

a very present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, 

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 

though its waters roar and foam, 

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 

the holy habitation of the Most High. 

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; 

God will help her when morning dawns. 

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; 

He utters his voice, the earth melts. 

The Lord of hosts is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

Come, behold the works of the Lord, 

how he has brought desolations on the earth. 

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; 

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 

“Be still, and know that I am God. 

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 

The Lord of hosts is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

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