Bushfires in NSW

As I went outside today I caught a throat full of smoke. The sun was an amazing orange colour.
I hadn't seen this for many years. In fact, these bushfires could be amongst the worst our state has seen.

It is bewildering to consider the devastation that has occurred and could occur if the fire fronts merge.
It's only as a piece of soot falls next to me as I walk towards the local primary school that I realise these fires are not under control.

And that is frightening to us. We place ourselves in contexts where we can determine the outcome, where our input has a direct impact on the results. We see ourselves as those who can overcome and any hurdle. Humanity has the ability to conquer anything.

And yet natural disasters bring this philosophy crashing to the ground. It is one thing to control an office staff, it's another to qwell an earthquake or extinguish a fire. It's only in this context the we recognise our limitations.

The current bushfires tell us that there are things that make us afraid because they can be more powerful than we are. They ought to push us to seek assistance. In fact, natural disasters should lead to prayer.

So can I ask for you to pray for the bushfires in NSW and any natural disaster you hear of?
Pray-
that God would end whatever the catastrophe is
that God would use the emergency agencies to restore order
that God would bring comfort to those who have lost
that God would offer hope and lift our eyes to see a place where disaster will never strike