Earthquakes and prayer

Hi All

Being a first time vicar following a major natural disaster in the form of an earthquake is tough. In some ways, it can highlight areas where you weren't prepared - in other ways, it highlights the ways in which strengths come to the fore.

And so I have been praying. Constantly. I have been lamenting. I have been praising. I have watched the news unfolding and used it as a visual prompt for prayer. On the first night when we lacked power and we hunkered down in the lounge for support, I lit candles and used them for meditation and prayer. A symbolic reminder of the presence of Christ in our darkest moments. I have cooked food and cleaned up broken and fallen stuff and prayed.

Its easy to feel useless but this is an event that will require all sorts of skills and abilities over the coming days, weeks and months. Eat, sleep, pray and be ready. You might feel like you're twiddling your thumbs a bit but you will have your time or your way to help. So keep in contact. Keep checking websites - www.anglicanlife.org.nz and may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds on the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.