After the devastating flooding in Central Texas on July 4, Christian leaders and churches are requesting prayers and support for victims’ families. At least 89 people have been confirmed dead so far, with dozens more missing. More rain is expected this week in the flood-prone area.
Twenty-seven disaster victims were from Camp Mystic, a Christian camp for girls that is located along the Guadalupe River. On July 5, before rescue efforts turned to recovery and identification efforts, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged people to “do some serious praying—on-your-knees kind of praying that we find these young girls.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared Sunday, July 6, as a “Day of Prayer in Texas in response to the floods in the Hill Country.”
Pastors Share Words of Hope After Texas Flooding
On Monday evening (July 7), Max Lucado will hold “a time of prayer for South Texas” on Facebook live at 6 p.m. Central Time. The bestselling author serves as pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, about 80 miles from the flooded area.
Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, appeared on “Fox & Friends” Monday to share biblical reasons for hope amid tragedy. Asked to explain the Christian worldview, Jeffress said this sinful world was “not part of God’s plan.” Jesus will return, said the pastor, bringing “a new heaven and a new earth.”
Faith becomes more meaningful when you exercise it “in the dark,” Jeffress added. Saying that grieving families will see their loved ones again someday, he shared Jesus’ words from John 11:25. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live again.”
California Pastor Greg Laurie also provided biblical words of comfort and hope after the disaster. On social media, he said he can relate to loved ones who mourn. Laurie, whose son Christopher died in a car accident in 2008, encouraged families to “fall back on what we do know…God loves us. We know that those little children are safely in the arms of Jesus.” Although we can rejoice that the victims are now in heaven, Laurie added, “There’s a time to mourn.”
In a Facebook post, Laurie shared more Scripture verses, telling parents, “If you have put your faith in Christ, you will see [your children] again.” These children “are not only part of your past,” he told parents. “They are also part of your future.”
On Saturday (July 5), Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas opened its sanctuary for prayer and reflection. “As the body of Christ, we are called to stand in the gap—to intercede in prayer for those facing unimaginable loss,” the church wrote on Facebook. The congregation’s disaster relief team helped with search-and-rescue efforts, according to the post.
Highland Park United Methodist Church, also located in Dallas, said four of the missing campers are from its congregation. Pastor Paul Rasmussen said the church is holding prayer services and offering free counseling. “It is somber and painful for so many,” he told a reporter. “And we are all connected in some way to the folks in Central Texas—many directly to those at Camp Mystic.”
