Prayer: If God chooses not to remove the physical storm, He has the ability to calm the raging storm within us to provide peace, strength, guidance, comfort and inner power unlike ever known. Pray that if the storm remains, you and others will experience a spirit of endurance and a “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Peace in the middle of a storm might be the greater miracle of God.

We are experiencing unprecedented crisis and chaos in our beloved city. Right now, all over social media you will find people telling others that they are praying and asking the nation to pray for the people of Houston. How are we to pray? The Scripture is clear on ways to pray in times of distress. As I’m praying, below are my requests to the Father and I thought I’d pass them along to you.

We should pray all three of these petitions below — not just one. This is important. Praying all three allows us to seek the activity of God in all this and yet to display deep trust in God to work as He chooses for His glory.

1. Pray that God would calm the storm

Time and again in the Bible God supernaturally intervened into the natural world. Jesus himself calmed two raging storms. These miracles were for the purpose of revealing Himself to mankind and displaying His power as evidence of His authority and control. The ultimate goal was that people might witness God’s glory and turn to Him in a loving and trusting personal relationship. Do you believe that God has the power to calm this storm? He absolutely does!

Prayer: Pray that God would bring glory and people to Himself by miraculously calming this storm and saving lives. Acknowledge before God His power to act and intervene in the strongest of storms and pray that as He does, people will recognize His power, glory and love.

2. Pray that God would help us endure the storm

It is not always the will of God to relieve us of suffering. This is a difficult truth for many to grasp. Since the fall of man, we live in a sin-stained, volatile and unpredictable world which contains disasters, illness and calamity. While it is legitimate and proper to pray for what we want, we should always submit our desires to His will and His way and seek answers to prayer that will bring Him glory in this world. Remember how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his crucifixion? “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

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