Beloved sisters and brothers:
Let us remember in prayer the people of British Columbia in western Canada. After a summer of heat waves and wildfires, a series of storms is battering the region, causing serious flooding and landslides. Thousands of homes and farms are affected in this region where many Mennonite and Mennonite Brethen church mebmers live and work.
The prophet Jonah describes his storm experience this way:
The waters closed in over me; the deep surrounded me;
weeds were wrapped around my head at the roots of the mountains.
I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever;
yet you brought up my life from the Pit, O Lord my God (Jonah 2:5-6).
Merciful God, deliver people of British Columbia from storm and from the pit of despair! As waters recede, provide material resources and spiritual support for recovery.
May your name be glorified by the generosity of all who come to the aid of those who suffer.
In the name of Jesus who calmed the storm, Amen.
J. Nelson Kraybill
President, MWC