Prayer brings calm during stormy weather

In the wake of Katrina, which is getting news coverage around the world, many people are thinking more than ever about how to deal with extreme weather. As a Floridian for over thirty years, I have lived through many hurricanes and storms, and my study of Christian Science has inspired my prayers about each one. While these storms might seem to have their own identities, perhaps because each one has a name, prayer has shown me that this isn’t true. Nothing unlike God can possibly have an identity or have the power to harm us.

Sometimes the storms dissipate. Other times they make landfall. Whatever happens, certain spiritual truths have given me great peace and protection in the face of extreme weather. In 1992, when Hurricane Andrew was about to make landfall, I, as usual, earnestly prayed to know what to do. My elderly mother was with me and it seemed right to be sure she was as comfortable as she could be.

When my cousin, who lives inland about ten miles, called and invited us to stay with her, I was so glad. Leaving the area this time definitely appeared to be the thing to do, especially since we were about a half-mile from the ocean on one side and about the same distance from the Intracoastal Waterway on the other.

One thing about praying from the standpoint of acknowledging God's ever-presence and loving protection is that these truths are a great support while one is in the process of taking care of all the necessary details. They ensure that we’ll have whatever we need.

When we came back the next afternoon, the electricity was still off and tree limbs were all over the lawn, but other than that there was no damage to the property. This made us feel very grateful but we also had a lot of compassion for others whose homes did not come through so well. Continuing to pray, I stacked the tree limbs in a pile by the street, and much to my joy and amazement, a truck came by and the driver asked if we wanted them taken away. I had just finished the work so the truck couldn't have come at a better moment!For example, when I needed help with the shutters, neighbors appeared seemingly from nowhere. The extra strength I needed to get everything around the house secured was definitely beyond what I thought I could do, but everything got done. Finally we left for my cousin's condominium and stayed there overnight. And naturally our prayers that night weren’t just for our own needs but for those of all the people who could be affected by the hurricane.

We were blessed in other ways—some that might seem small to people who’ve never been through a hurricane like Andrew, which caused so much devastation, but which meant a lot to us. For instance, the electricity came back on, after being off for about twelve hours, and we found that the food in our refrigerator had not spoiled despite the hot weather—another moment of rejoicing.

What happened to me and my mother developed, I feel, through my experience of getting to know God better and understanding that everyone has an unbreakable spiritual relationship to God. The Bible’s account of Elijah’s experience on Mount Horeb brings out this point. Elijah was seeking God’s guidance because he was facing many difficulties. On the mountain, he encountered major forces of nature: earthquake, wind, lightning and fire, but he didn’t let them frighten him; nor did he respond to them in any way.

I’ve learned over the years that this is true for us also. God is always with us. We are at one with the source of all good, and the storms brewing about us, whatever forms they may take, cannot touch that hallowed relationship. As we become acquainted with our true identity, each of us can feel the confidence and protection this gives us from all kinds of inclement weather.When he heard “the still small voice” (323:28-32 ) that followed those forces, he knew intuitively that this had to be the voice of God. And through the inspiration he gained from this encounter, he learned that God was always with him, to help him even when conditions were dangerous or frightening.

We’re also guided to know what we should do humanly—whatever is best for us under the circumstances. This spiritual way of thinking can lead us into the light and give us the assurance we need. It can be as specific as these words from the Bible: “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isa. 30:21 ).

Matthew’s Gospel tells very clearly about the time when Jesus was able to still a storm at sea, and another instance when Jesus actually walked on water during a storm. What I find very encouraging is that Jesus promised us, “Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12 ). Doesn’t that give us the promise that we can overcome all manner of challenges?

Mary Baker Eddy expected her students to know how to pray about the weather because she felt that extremes in the weather did not come from God, divine Love. Although she was very clear that God, and not Christian Scientists, controls the weather, she actively encouraged prayer that affirms God’s good and loving government of the weather. Such weather is never extreme—neither violent storm or deadly drought—but satisfies human needs in a good and peaceful way.

The first verse of Hymn 148 from the Christian Science Hymnal also helps me at times like these:Knowing this encourages me to pray about the weather. And I am comforted when I see how my prayers guide me and strengthen me to study and learn more of how God cares for us.

In heavenly Love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Jesus Christ used a parable to show people where true safety and stability lie. After he described a wise man who built his house upon a rock, Jesus said to his listeners, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock" (Matt. 7:24-27 ).

This is the rock you can establish for yourself through daily prayer, and then the winds can blow and the rains descend, but they will not prevail, because you will always hear—be conscious of—the "still small voice" of God, and be safe.

Listening to the "still small voice":

Science and Health
288:14-17
235:24

King James Bible
I Kings 19:11, 12