A Prayer For Oso

Here is a link to watch the latest update: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/deadly-washington-state-mudslide-90-still-missing-as-weary-rescuers-continue-to-dig

Even though it is in my region, the devastating events of the Oso landslide seem so surreal. There are still more than 90 people unaccounted for, and with 17-18 deaths, more people have lost their life in this disaster than in the Mt. St. Helens eruption I am told.

Perhaps you have looked for a way to make a donation or help in some way. The Seattle Sounders have teamed up with the Red Cross to help facilitate a safe and trusted way to pich in. Here is what the Seattle Times said about the relief partnership:

The Sounders will partner with the American Red Cross to collect donations at Saturday’s game for disaster relief, particularly the devastating Oso mudslide.

Volunteers will accept donations at various gates, along Occidental Avenue and throughout CenturyLink Field before Seattle’s 7 p.m. home game against the Columbus Crew. Team ownership, through the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and Hanauer Family Foundation, will match donations up to $15,000.

People can also donate by visiting www.redcross.org or sending the text message “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

More from the release:

A gift to the American Red Cross will help people affected by disasters like the Oso Mudslide and countless other emergencies. These gifts enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

Join me in praying for the people and the responders involved in this unfathomable loss, and if you can, make a donation to the Red Cross/Sounders effort…

God, in times like these we need your voice,
Your Spirit, Your presence, Your care.
Please hold the hearts that have lost so much,
From life to hope to faith.

May we be Your voice, Your presence, Your care,
May our eyes convey Your tears.
Remove all fear and ease all pain,
As people begin the journey of grief and loss
and find their souls stretching to receive Your comfort.

God of the broken, the lonely, the scared
I know  that sometimes life does not make sense,
Sometimes there is no immediate answer to the mystery,
but there is always Your presence bringing about light in the darkness.

May we all believe that “Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall surely be comforted.”
In this hour, we need you..

~Amen