Prayer during a Fire

Lord, Lord, Thou art infinitely good and kind; but Thou art also a terrible God when Thou art angry and manifestest Thy displeasure by judgments upon men. I do not now behold Thy countenance gracious as I have so often beheld it at other times. Now I see that thou art angry. And who can stand before Thine anger or shield himself against Thy hot displeasure? On every side I hear tumult, and cries, and lamentation, and weeping. My heart quails; my strength has forsaken me; my soul is affrighted. A conflagration is raging, and without Thy will and permission it would not be doing so. I am indeed, not yet aware of the actual origin of this fire. But this I know, that my and my fellow-men’s iniquities and sins are the real cause of it. Our sins have come before Thee. They have exhausted the long-suffering with which Thou hast forborne so long, and have brought Thy punishment upon us, to show us that Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with Thee.

Lord, Lord, we are sinners, great sinners, who have deserved Thy wrath. We do not hide our iniquity. We confess that we have sinned against heaven and in Thy sight, and are no more worthy to be called Thy children. We behold before us Thy fiery indignation, and know that Thou couldst in a few moments utterly destroy us. But O Lord, do not do so. Cease from Thine anger. In Thy wrath remember the mercy which Thou hast promised to those who seek Thy face. Do not think only of our sins, but think also and much more of the precious and all-sufficient atonement of Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. For His sake spare us, and reward us not according to our works. Quench Thy fiery indignation in the blood of the Lamb. O heavenly Father, look upon the sufferings of Christ. He is the propitiation for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. And for His sake we beseech Thee to have mercy upon us.

In this hour of distress and trouble I lean upon Thy mercy, and turn to Thee for help and deliverance. I commit myself and my family, my house, my property, and all that Thou hast given me to Thy care and protection. Extinguish the flames before they gain the upper hand. Quench them before they approach my house. Strengthen me in faith, in trust, and in the hope of Thy mercy; and let me not grow faint-hearted, even if the danger should come nearer. If the flames should come nigh my dwelling, grant me prudence and common sense, so that I may conduct myself in such a manner as will redound to Thy glory and my own best interests. And when all is happily past, I will praise Thy name, and declare without ceasing what great things Thou hast done for me.

Have mercy also on those, O God, who must now look on while the flames devour their houses and goods. Fill their heart with good courage, and let them hope in Thee. Be Thou their strong Shield and Help in the great trouble which has befallen them; and mercifully deliver them. Have compassion on those who are threatened by danger. Command the flames to cease raging and to spare their dwelling. Speak but the word, and it shall be done. Remember Thy precious promise: “When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Thy Saviour.” Remember Thy promise, and fulfill it in mercy.

Bless the means which have been provided for extinguishing the fire, and let them accomplish the desired result. Fill all those who run to the rescue with true love for those in distress, with tender pity for them, and with Thy fear, so that they may faithfully assist and help the afflicted ones. And if wicked men should appear upon the scene to rob and plunder, move their hearts with compassion, that they may desist from their wicked purpose and may not further grieve and injure those who have already met with loss.

Bring our troubles to a speedy end. Let order and quietness be restored within our walls. Do Thou Thyself extinguish the smoldering flames, that they may not break out again.

O Lord, grant that we may be humbled by this judgment which Thou hast visited upon us, and be taught henceforth to dread Thy wrath, and no longer willfully to transgress Thy commandments, but rather to walk before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days. Graciously hear my prayer and that of all other Christians, and send us deliverance. Then will we praise and magnify Thee for this and all Thy great mercies, here in time and there in eternity. Amen.