Father, we pray for all those affected by this storm system, especially those who experience flooding and wind damage. Comfort and provide for those who have lost property. Please give peace and hope to those who have lost loved ones - bring Your servants alongside to encourage and to mourn. We also pray for the utilities and public service and other personnel, that you will protect them as they work under stressful and sometimes unsafe circumstances, and that you will sustain them and give them energy and wisdom that they may be able to restore power and other services more quickly than anticipated. We know that You are Sovereign, and we know that You care for Your creation, especially man in whom You placed Your own image. We ask these things knowing Your goodness and grace, and in the name of Jesus who exemplifies Your love, amen.
But I never heard that it had been anybody’s business to find out what his natural bent was, or where his failings lay, or to adapt any kind of knowledge to him…..I did doubt whether [he] would not have profited by someone studying him a little, instead of his studying them quite so much. (Dickens, Bleak House)