Lutheran president urges prayer for flood victims and workers

Assiniboine River in flood

Dear members and friends of Lutheran Church-Canada:

Our co-workers here at Synod’s office in Winnipeg have prayed repeatedly for people affected by the flood threat now engulfing many parts of the province of Manitoba and elsewhere. The authorities seek to minimize damage to towns and other populated areas, and yet our hearts go out to farmers and others whose land will be covered with water because of the measures often taken to protect homes and families.

It is heartening to know of the great volunteer spirit here on the prairies, where many people put in long hours of strenuous work to erect sandbag dikes and other defences against the rising water. For the children of God who trust in Jesus Christ, it is even more comforting to realize that the Lord of winds and waves knows how to help. Above all, He cares. St. Paul meant what he said, “He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:39 NIV). Does that mean there will be an easy end to the flooding of 2011? Perhaps not. It does mean that the people of God will have what they need to cope, to endure, and even to grow in the middle of a disaster.

Whether you live near the flooded areas, as I do, or are in some region that right now seems pleasant, high and dry, I hope you’ll spend time in the coming days to pray the Lord’s blessing on your beleaguered fellow Canadians threatened by the flooding. Ask God to stand by them. Ask Him to bless the efforts of those trying to help them. Ask Him, too, to give opportunities to His children to give witness to Christ and the peace He shares with people, even in their darkest hours.

Robert Bugbee, President
Lutheran Church-Canada

Prayer for those affected by spring flooding