Keep praying. Much change in Frances (category 4 to category 3--slowed progress, different entering point (bad for east coast, but perhaps those already ravaged by Charley will be spared the worst of this), and let us pray for continued weakening. The forecasts are still uncertain, and a storm from the east is much worse than one from the west for us. But prayer availeth much and hope strengthens in the wake of such an outpouring of prayer. Thanks to everyone who is praying. I will attempt to keep you updated as the day goes on.
This site has a map and sat photo (click on each to enlarge).
Dear Steven,
You are in my prayers. I came upon the following prayer on Beliefnet.com -
O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a storm-less eternity awaits us. Amen.
Neil