Amid Fires in Texas Panhandle, Bishop Mayer Calls for Prayer

On February 28, Bishop Mayer called the Diocese of Northwest Texas to prayer amid wildfires raging north of I-40 in the panhandle of Texas. The wildfires began on Monday, February 26 due to downed power lines and spread rapidly due to strong winds and unseasonable high temperatures.

As of March 7, the largest fire, the Smokehouse Creek Fire, is 74 percent contained and has burned more than 1700 square miles, over 500 homes and business, and thousands of cattle. Please continue to pray for the fire fighters and first responders who are bravely fighting the fires and pray for the many people who have lost their homes and livelihoods. 

 

God, you are in the midst of those who suffer

May all affected by the fires feel your healing presence.

 

God, you are in the hands of those who reach out

Help responders in their courageous work.

 

God, you are in the hearts of those compassionate ones

Whose prayers cry out for their families

Whose prayers cry out for their neighbors

Whose prayers cry out even for strangers

Bless and comfort those who mourn.

 

God, you are in the still small voice,

The gentle whisper that follows

May our ears always hear

May our hearts always cry out for one another

May our hands always reach out to one another

And may we always walk like you walk

In solidarity with those who suffer

And so reflect your presence and comfort. 

Amen.

– Prayer adapted from Catholic Relief Services