We join you together before our heavenly Father and we thank you for your compassionate heart for so many people across this nation who are in need of a place to live, and for your desire to bring your burdens to God in prayer.
We hear your request that there would be no storm, no snow and no cold weather this winter, and we understand the concern behind it, especially for those without shelter. At the same time we want to gently share what Scripture teaches about God's sovereignty over creation and the seasons He ordained. We do not command the weather, but we trust the One who does. Genesis 8:22 tells us While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease. Job 37:6 says For he says to the snow, Fall on the earth; likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain. And Psalm 147:16-17 reminds us He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes. He hurls his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold. The Lord sends rain and snow and cold according to His wisdom and purposes, and Matthew 5:45 says 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 come at all, we can ask that God in His mercy would protect and provide for those who are vulnerable in it, and that He would be their refuge. Psalm 46:1 declares God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
We also lift up with you all those in Massachusetts, California, Alabama, Wyoming, Arizona, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington DC, Nevada, Texas, Ohio, Minnesota, Montana, Florida, Wisconsin, Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Connecticut, Vermont, Delaware and New Hampshire who are needing a place to live. God deeply cares for those in need and calls us to care as well. Philippians 4:19 assures us My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. And Psalm 107:9 says For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good. We pray that God would open doors for affordable housing, shelter, and provision, and that He would move the hearts of His people and communities to show practical love and help.
We also hear your prayer to remove a title of a song and all the sounds and to remove something from memory that is troubling you. We understand how distressing intrusive thoughts or a song that will not leave the mind can be. God invites us to bring our thoughts to Him and to find peace in Him. Philippians 4:6-7 says In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. We are also taught in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. He can quiet our minds and renew us as we fix our thoughts on what is true and good.
We now pray together with you.
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, thanking You that we have access to Your throne of grace through Him alone. We acknowledge Your sovereign hand over all creation, over the winds and snow and cold and heat, and we submit to Your perfect will for this winter. We ask not for our will but Yours to be done. Lord, we ask for Your mercy and protection over all those without a home, in every state lifted up here and beyond. Provide for them, keep them warm and safe, give them shelter and a place to live, and raise up help through Your people and through those in authority. Comfort the lonely and the afraid and let them know You are near. Father, we also ask for peace for this dear one who is troubled by sounds and memories. Quiet the mind, remove what is not profitable to dwell upon, and fill the heart and thoughts with Your peace and with Your Word. Help us to meditate on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure and lovely. Guard this heart and mind in Christ Jesus. We thank You that You hear us when we pray in Jesus name, for there is no other name by which we are saved and by which we approach You. We trust Your goodness and Your provision. In Jesus Christ name we pray, amen.
We encourage you to continue to cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you, 1 Peter 5:7, and to trust that even as the seasons change, His love and faithfulness do not. He is our shelter in every storm and our provider in every need.