I was privileged to spend the past three Sundays teaching on the Apostles’ Creed at McIvor Church in Winnipeg, MB. This past Sunday the Teaching Pastor Jon Klassen led us in a timely prayer for the province of Manitoba which finds itself in the grip of wildfires. He has given me permission to share the text of the prayer below.

Lord God of heaven, who makes the clouds rise from the ends of the earth, who sends lightning with the rain, and brings out wind from heaven’s storehouses: today, our land is dry; wildfires are tearing through this province; crops will fail, homes will be lost, if you don’t send rain. Lord, have mercy, and send rain.

Jesus, our Saviour, all creation is yours. You give living water to all who are thirsty, and hope to those who are weary. Be near to those being evacuated; those whose lives are now in crisis, whose homes have been left behind, in the path of the fires. Lord Jesus, please guard against destruction.  And as people wait, especially those now displaced, send your peace.

Lead those who have been evacuated to still waters, and green pastures; supply their needs, even now in places that are not home. And use your churches here as agents of your peace, sharing your life with those who are in need. Lord, have mercy, and send your peace.

God, our Father, it is by your breath of life that we live; pour out your Spirit of life on the earth. Give strength, safety, and good strategy to those fighting fires; give wisdom and insight to those leaders making decisions; and give us hearts which are bent to do your will: to offer hospitality to those in need, to care for your creation, and to worship you in Spirit and Truth, with every fiber of our being, that we might be the living water which you pour out, for the healing of your earth.

God of Mercy, in the name of Jesus your Son, by your Spirit of Life, we pray.

Amen.