Prayers for British Columbia, Please

This is a selection of some of the photos provided on Facebook yesterday by Mel Issa, a young woman living in British Columbia.  She and her friends are sharing these and asking for prayer.

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women who are first responders and firefighters working to control and combat the wildfires all over our land, but especially right now in our neighbouring province of British Columbia. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and exhaustion; give them courage to face the perils that beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever in the province they are working.

At the same time, Lord God, please comfort all those who have had to flee homes for safety from the fires. Keep them safe, and provide for their needs and those who have given them hospitality and shelter. Guard the animals -- wild and domestic -- that may be fleeing or injured, and bring them to safety and protection. Grant to all in distress mercy, relief and refreshment; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.*

*Adapted from the Occasional Prayers, Book of Alternative Services, Anglican Church of Canada.