We join you in bringing these burdens before our Heavenly Father in Jesus Christ's name and we thank you for closing your request in His name, for it is only through Jesus that we have access to God and it is in no other name that we are saved as Acts 4:12 teaches.
We hear your heart for protection from storms and for all those across this nation who are without a secure place to live, from ### and ### to ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ###, ### and every other place where people are in need. Your compassion for those who are homeless and vulnerable in the cold reflects the heart God calls us to have.
We also want to gently encourage you with biblical truth regarding the weather. While we understand the desire for no storm, no snow and no cold, Scripture shows us that God Himself ordained the seasons and He remains sovereign over all weather. Genesis 8:22 says While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease. Psalm 147:16-17 tells us He gives snow like wool, He scatters frost like ashes. Job 37:6 says For he says to the snow, Fall on the earth, and to the pouring rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain. Matthew 5:45 reminds us that He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. Rather than asking that winter would not exist, we can ask for His mercy, protection and provision within the seasons He has created, trusting that even cold and storms are under His control and can serve His purposes, as Psalm 148:8 declares that stormy wind fulfills His word.
For those needing a place to live, we know God sees them and cares deeply. Psalm 46:1 says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 68:6 says God sets the lonely in families and Philippians 4:19 promises My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 58:7 calls us to share our bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into our house. We pray not only for God's supernatural provision but that He would move His people, churches, communities and leaders to be His hands and feet to provide shelter, warmth and hope.
We also lift up your request to remove a title of a song and all the sounds that trouble you. We understand how a repeating song or intrusive sounds can weigh on the mind and steal peace. We pray God will grant you His peace and renew your mind. Philippians 4:7 says And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think on whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report. 2 Timothy 1:7 says For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
We pray together now.
Heavenly Father, we come before You in Jesus Christ's name and seek Your will. Lord, You are sovereign over the heavens and the earth, over every storm, every snowflake and every season. We ask for Your mercy and protection over all people this winter. Keep those who are vulnerable safe from dangerous storms and bitter cold, provide warmth where there is cold and shelter where there is exposure. We do not demand that Your created seasons cease, but we ask for Your grace to sustain us through them and to guard us from harm.
Father, we lift up every man, woman and child in every state named and in every place not named who is without a home, who is struggling to find a place to live. You know each one by name. Provide for them, open doors for housing, connect them with resources and with people who will show Your love. Move in the hearts of Your church to care for the homeless and the needy. Supply their needs for food, warmth, safety and dignity.
Lord, we also ask that You quiet the restless sounds and the repeating song in this dear one's mind. Wash away what is troubling and replace it with Your peace, with hymns and thoughts that honor You. Let Your Holy Spirit bring stillness and clarity and let Your Word dwell richly within.
We trust You as our refuge and provider and we rest in Your perfect wisdom and love. Help us to trust You in every season, both of weather and of life. In Jesus Christ's name we pray, amen.