Thank you - to Ambulance Drivers, Police and First Responders

 

Thank you - to Ambulance drivers, police, and first responders

(Number six in a series of eight prayers.)

Almighty God, the sound of sirens passing by causes us to perk up our ears. "Who's been affected? Is there a fire close by? Perhaps the police are being called to a robbery. Was someone speeding? No, that's the sound of an ambulance! I wonder what happened. Is it serious? A stroke perhaps, or someone just suffered a heart attack? Who is seeking help?" 

Lord, you knew what you were doing when you designed our bodies when we were knit together before our mothers gave birth. Psalm 139:13 You fashioned some persons with the ability to jump into action at the first sign of smoke or a stroke or a neighbor's house, where broken glass might indicate a robbery is taking place. Thank you for professionals who exercise acts of mercy. What wonderful gifts they have!

Our modern-day society depends upon thousands of first responders. We drive past a hospital entrance, glancing quickly at the Emergency Entrance. Is there an ambulance there? 

Today, people stand in long lines or wait in their cars, waiting for their opportunity to get tested for Covid-19. Ambulance drivers and staff dial in the latest address sent to them, seeking another person who needs urgent attention. 

How blessed we are, Loving Father! Most nations in the world cannot expect this immediate attention. Small villages in the Andes Mountains or across the African Sahara or on small islands in the Pacific Ocean lack this training and personnel. They would love to have someone who seeks the homes of the sick and then zooms off to the nearest hospital. Here, how often we take such facilities for granted. Thank you for the example of Jesus who attended to the blind, the sick, and lame.

Lord, as we pass from autumn to winter, may these highly trained men and women seek you. May they become more aware of your being even closer to them in times of trouble than they are to the people calling for their help. May they give heed to your call upon their lives. "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." Isaiah 55:6,7. Thank you, Jesus Christ, that you will always attend to people in an emergency."