Oklahoma Fires

[Alan Stokes]

There is a prayer request about this in the prayer request forum, but I wondered if anyone knows if Southern Nazarene University is in jeopardy. The news says that homes in Oklahoma City are burning. I don't know the geography of Bethany/Oklahoma City to know if it is close to the university or any churches.

[Mark Bolerjack]

They are burning mostly on the far east side of OKC, far away from SNU. The news mentioned fires in Bethany, but I think that it further west from the campus. Other fires were in far north OKC, around Quail Springs Mall and points north from there.

so far, I think the SNU campus is ok.

[Edith K. Thurmond]

They are burning mostly on the far east side of OKC, far away from SNU. The news mentioned fires in Bethany, but I think that it further west from the campus. Other fires were in far north OKC, around Quail Springs Mall and points north from there.

so far, I think the SNU campus is ok.

There were fires on the west side of Bethany but also one today 7 blocks north of SNU. Also, tonight there was one at 39th and MacArthur where an electrical pole was blown over and arced - causing a fire. I went to get gas at Conoco there and the firetruck was just finishing the fire by the Walgreen Drug Store. While at the gas station, two Bethany Fire Trucks went racing east on 39th going to who knows where.

Gov. Brad Henry spoke to the state tonight and reported that firemen from other states were already arriving to aid the exhausted firemen who are just not enough in number to fight all the numerous fires. They are coming from FL, NC, and TN and the state is very appreciative.

Oklahoma is a state in great emergency need!

[Ian Gentles]

This is first I have heard of these fires. How bad is it?

[Judy Hamilton]

The fires NE of SNU are just about 3- miles from my home...and i do pray that the little bit of trees we have around will not totally burn...The ER is/was busy last nite with people who are compromised with respiratory problems..i was called to help in the ER..we admitted some and sent most home..to the smoldering acrid air....the wind needs to stop

the song Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping thru the plain

is SOOOO true...but we really need rain in the worst way

thanks for your concern and your prayers
i am going to bed!! a fireman will have to wake me...i am soooo tired

Judy

[Jim Franklin]

Thanks for the updates I asked for from you OKC residents. We will continue to pray that all goes well and that rain will soon relieve the distructive force and the overworked firefighters.

[Betty Bolerjack]

No rain in the forecast for two more weeks and then it is only a very low chance. We ended 2005 more than 12 inches below normal rainfall. We are not starting 2006 very well. Every night, the news is filled with stories of fires. News is on right now and they just said 33 counties in Oklahoma have had wildfires in the last week. I didn't catch just what he said, but there were over 350,000 acres burned and more than 220 homes lost, I think. That is just unbelievable. Everyone is starting to water their lawns, something we just don't normally do this time of year. We made it a point to get our sprinkler system going and are watering daily, as are more and more of our neighbors. Please continue to pray for rain in Oklahoma and Texas as well as for those who have lost their homes and businesses. Fortunately, loss of life has been minimal. Pray that continues. Thanks, everyone!

[Edith K. Thurmond]

No rain in the forecast for two more weeks and then it is only a very low chance. Thanks, everyone!

One fireman described the situation this way: It is like continuous tornadoes that come from the ground instead of the sky.

One thing this situation provides is the acrid smoke and smell that is in the air which a tornado does not provide. The 'black stuff' associated with fires is another issue with which people are forced to contend. It causes health issues for many and critical ones for those with previously impaired respiratory systems.

We are all praying and some groups have begun fasts for God to intervene and bring rain. Our state and the others also need God's touch to bring moisture to our parched souls and hearts as well as our ground. We need to develop a "sackcloth and ashes" mentality and seek the face of God corporately and individually. Our state is filled with gambling addicts, pornography addicts (which always leads to further sexual depravities and hurt/destruction for many), alcohol addicts, tobacco addicts, drug addicts, etc. - all of which are but outward symptoms of wounds and holes in the souls and attempts to fill those areas that only God can heal and make new.

The surprising and sobering fact I am learning is that much of it is in the churches and clouded in secrecy. It is in your church and my church, shocking as it may seem. It is in almost all churches, even if not yet revealed. It is here on NazNet as shared by some who have these problems. However, it has begun to not be so secret as lives lie everywhere in smoldering ruins - causing more devastation than the smoldering edifices and grounds we are seeing daily here. May God, in his mercy, hear the prayers of those who are fasting and praying. May it result in massive amounts of people who are penitent and truly seeking God's will and ways. We need righteous and holy living in our state/s to be the norm - not the exception. We need people to seek holiness more than life itself; we need deliverance; we need holy living which will bring true life to our land.

Lord, in your mercy, bring rain to our ground and healing to our people. May we ever be mindful that true life and peace come only from you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Amen