I myself live in northern California, far from the fires that are devastating large areas in the southern part of our state. The situation doesn’t affect me directly, but I do have friends and family who are suffering and still endangered, as many of you probably do, too — not to mention all the thousands of people whom we don’t know who are literally embroiled in this disaster. So I appreciate this prayer that just came to me through email, and which may give relief to your hearts’ groanings as well. I transcribed the text below the image.

O Lord our God, keep our cities and every city and land from the ravages of fire and ruinous wind. Strengthen our firefighters and emergency workers who labor heroically to preserve life, limb and dwellings from destruction. Protect from harm those who are in danger. Draw near, Heavenly Father, and comfort those who have suffered terrible loss and devastation. Uphold the grieving and provide for the evacuated, displaced, and bereaved. Calm the winds and send us gentle rains to quench the conflagrations.

Visit us all with repentance, and renew our faith. Hear our cry, O God our Savior, the Hope of all the ends of the earth and of those who are in the midst of calamity, and be gracious, be gracious, O Master, upon our sins, and have mercy on us. For Thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.