As the disasters keep coming at what seems like an ever-increasing rate, I find myself struggling to know how to pray over all the heartache and destruction that are left in their wake.  It feels like I can’t keep up and I can’t pray “big enough” or “detailed enough” to be effective.

Never mind the scripture in James 5:16 (ESV) that says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”  This tells me that when I am in right standing with God, my feeble little prayers are infused with the power of Almighty God.

But lately, I haven’t been living out that promise.  I’ve been stuck in that “not enough” mode.  It’s not that I question God’s power or his sovereignty over all that devastation that seems to be overwhelming our world lately.  I know it’s all under his sovereign hand.

Lamentations 3:37-38 speaks directly to this: “Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?”

The disconnect comes when I try to put into words the cry of my heart over this desolation.  Somehow, I felt obligated to pray over all the ramifications of each disaster making the headline news.

Then God quietly guided my heart to this reality. (Which isn’t new but clearly forgotten!)

I don’t need to know all the details of what each person needs.  I can pray BIG prayers over BIG needs.  This is what my newly transformed prayers include:

• “Dear God, empower your people to step into these disasters to bring compassion and tenderness to those who need it most, to truly be the hands and feet of Jesus in the circumstances crying out for help.”

• “Heavenly Father, for those who don’t know you, please protect their hearts against anger towards you and cause those hearts to turn towards you with a renewed understanding of who you are – the only true refuge in the storm.”

• “Father God, give your children eyes to see how you are always working in the details of their lives. Deepen their faith as they experience the miracle of Your love in ever-greater ways.”

• “Precious Savior, let the world witness those trusting you in their darkest hour, and stand in awe of a faith so strong, and a God so faithful. May it stir their hearts to seek the One who alone can calm the storm.”

This is how I’m praying over these disasters.  I’m praying “big picture” prayers, trusting that God is more than capable of accomplishing these purposes. 

We don’t need to understand every detail to pray bold, world-shaking prayers. God is already at work in the unseen, in a million ways beyond our imagining.

He invites us not to know everything, but to trust Him. And when He places specific burdens on our hearts, we respond—not because we have the plan, but because His Spirit knows exactly what is needed.

Once again, I’m reminded: it’s not my responsibility to fix every disaster through prayer. I’m simply called to intercede—to bring the hurting before a God who already knew this was coming, who understands their grief, and who alone can carry them through it with perfect care.

How grateful we are for a God who is sovereign and strong—One we can cling to when everything else feels broken.

Casting all your anxieties on him,

because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7