Article March 8, 2004 Issue

First, I prayed

By Pamela Cook

This morning's news broadcast announced that Iran has once again suffered a tragedy. This time, a train accident in Neyshabur has devastated the country. Hearing this, I prayed, just as I had a few weeks ago. It had been very early on December 26 when I'd heard reports of an earthquake in Bam, Iran, coming in over the US airwaves. I had been making my bed when I heard the report.

On the other side of the Atlantic, it was early afternoon. An acquaintance of mine in England, who is also a writer, was hearing the news, too. Although she now lives in London, she is originally from Iran.

As I listened to the news of the earthquake, my first impulse was to reach out to God in prayer: "Dear Father, help me see Your hand guiding, not destroying, Your people."