As I write this Monday night, Hurricane Sandy is going ashore in the northeast. The eye of the storm is hitting south Jersey while the powerful northeast quadrant is pounding Long Island and New York City. The storm surge is at 13 feet, the water level that will probably flood the subways and threaten the electrical grid for the city.

Before the storm, dubbed “Frankenstorm,” is finished as many as 50-60 million people will be affected.

I became aware of hurricanes in 1974 in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. We celebrated Anna’s first birthday as we prepared for a hurricane. While we have seen storms with more storm surge, higher winds, and greater flooding, who has ever heard of hurricanes with winds, rains, floods, and snow storms?

If anybody can sympathize with people in the paths of hurricanes, the folks where I live can. We understand how difficult this kind of event can be.

What do we do in these kinds of times?

Obviously, we want to pray for the people in the path of this storm. The threat of loss of life is real and the amount of destruction could be massive. We want to pray for people in the midst of suffering and sorrow. We need to pray for another, especially for believers who will attempt to minister in the midst of disaster.

Pray for churches to stand for truth and to minister to human needs in the name of Christ. Remember, “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b).

As a nation, we want to ask for the mercy of God and for His blessings. We are a needy people. We need to take this as a reminder that we need God. We need His favor.

What should we do? We should pray as Amos counseled: “Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph (Amos 5:14-15).

With one week to the biggest election in 150 years and under the destruction of a great storm, we need to repent of our evil and pride and look unto the Holy One of Israel.

Truly, may God bless America.

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