When a Christian people feel themselves to be overtaken by a great public calamity, it becomes them to humble themselves under the dispensation of Divine Providence, to recognize His righteous government over the children of men, to acknowledge His goodness in time past, as well as their own unworthiness, and to supplicate His merciful protection for the future.
--President John Tyler, upon the death of President William Henry Harrison,
April 13, 1841

Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States on August 29, 2005 with a force and fury that was both unexpected and unprecedented. Our nation has reeled in the aftermath of this mighty storm. We have watched extraordinary events unfold, listened to the myriad concerns and seen the magnanimous acts of charity and kindness on the part of untold thousands. The loss and heartbreak of the people of that region cannot be tallied and will continue for years to come.

On Thursday, September 8, President George W. Bush called for a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina to be held on Friday, September 16, 2005. He is asking Americans to gather in support of those who continue to struggle. Calling for prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving to God for the generosity shown by our nation, he said, "We will strive together in this effort, and we will prevail through perseverance and prayer."

The material on this page is offered as inspiration and focus as you pray. Use any or all as you see fit.

Prayer Points

• Insight, wisdom and strength for the President and related members of his cabinet as they continue to provide services and extend help.
• Help, support and wisdom for state and local officials as they provide assistance and consider the rebuilding process.
• Continued help and provision for the many victims—those who have been evacuated and plan to return as well as those who will now relocate.
• Smooth coordination of relief efforts among governments and agencies.
• Comfort and consolation for those who have lost loved ones.
• Healing and strength for those who were injured.
• Protection, health and strength for relief workers who continue to work in dangerous areas under threat of disease and infection.
• Spiritual and emotional support for those who have been traumatized—children especially.
• Continued miraculous reunion of family members.
• Provision of all needs, including spiritual and emotional support as well as jobs and housing, for evacuees who are now spread out across the nation.
• Continued witness to the goodness of God and His Church as believers rise up to meet the needs of the victims—for God to be utterly glorified in this.
• Unity in the Church and the nation.

Leaders to Pray for:

• President George W. Bush
• Vice President Richard Cheney
• Director of Homeland Security—Michael Chertoff
• Coordinator of FEMA Response—Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen
• NORTHCOM Commander, Coordinator of Military Response—General Russell Honoré
• Secretary of Education—Margaret Spellings
• Secretary of Health and Human Services—Michael O. Leavitt
• Secretary of Energy—Samuel W. Bodman
• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development—Alphonso Jackson
• Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency—Stephen L. Johnson
• Director, Office of Management and Budget—Joshua Bolten
• Director of the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives—James Towey
• All military leaders involved in relief and rebuilding
• All volunteers bringing aid and support
• Leadership of the Salvation Army, Red Cross and other organizations

A Prayer of the Nation in the Midst of Katrina
Written by PPT Honorary Committee Member Henry Blackaby

O Lord, we know that tragedies never change Your love or Your presence among us.

Tragedies are moments when you make Your love real and personal to those who trust You and call on You. Your presence gives us hope because all of life's circumstances are always under Your loving control. It is Your presence among us that allows a watching world to see the compassion that You have for us all.

You have immediately stirred within us in these days hearts that continue to suffer alongside those who have suffered most—the families whose lives have been shattered by this catastrophic national disaster. May you then counsel us greatly to know your wisdom and how best to express Your love to those in need.

Help us to recognize and know Your presence in this existing tragedy, that none may despair. For we know that You invite all who are "burdened and heavy laden" to come to You and take Your yoke upon them, that they might learn day-by-day and moment-by-moment from You. May they find rest and peace in the midst of this unexpected storm.

Grant also Your enabling courage to those on the front line who risk their own lives for the sake of others. May emotional and physical stamina be given in great measure to our policemen, firemen, military, and healthcare workers. We know that many of them are, likewise, experiencing enormous personal and corporate loss and pain.

We pray that in all things Lord You will especially provide wisdom and discernment to our local, state, and national leaders as they face many challenging decisions. And, finally, grant patient hearts to people as they experience delays in their needed help. You said, "All authority, in heaven and on earth is Yours" and that You would "Be with us to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18). We are now fully trusting in Your promise that "Nothing will be able to separate us from Your love." (Romans 8:35-39).

Thank You—right now—for Your promises, and Your presence among us! This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.

Scriptures of Comfort and Hope

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
--Deuteronomy 33:27

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what He has done.
--Psalm 9:9-11

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
--Psalm 18:2

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
--Psalm 46:1-2

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
--Matthew 25:35-36

Scriptures to Pray for Leaders

Men...who understood the times and knew what Israel should do-200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command.
--I Chronicles 12:32

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.
--Psalm 1:1-2

For Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in Your truth.
--Psalm 26:3

Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and shun evil.
--Proverbs 3:7

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
--Proverbs 29:25

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord.
--Isaiah 54:17

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.
--Habakkuk 3:19

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master.
--John 13:14-16

Prayer Related Scriptures

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer.
--Ezra 8:23

I call on You, O God, for You will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.
--Psalm 17:6

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.
--Psalm 33:12

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
--Jeremiah 29:7

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
--Jeremiah 29:12

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
--Ephesians 6:18

Pray...for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
--I Timothy 2:2-4

Additional Presidential Prayer Team Resources:

• Pray the Scriptures for our Leaders
• 200 Great Scriptures on Prayer