A prayer for the victims of and those threatened by the wild fires raging now across Southern California:

God, have mercy on those living through this terrible threat of fire in Southern California. Protect the lives of the brave men and women fighting the flames. Give courage to all those who have lost their homes. Give wisdom to those who must make important decisions about their property and the property of others Lord, you are Lord of the weather. We ask you now to calm the winds, increase the humidity and slow the advance of these blazes. Guard those for whom the smoke is a health threat. You can extinguish these fires. We ask boldly that you would. We pray this in Jesus’ name.