Cold Weather Prayer

  iTemperatures in the Midwest have reached record lows this week.  The United States Postal Service has cancelled delivery for a few days.  Schools are closed not just because the road conditions aren't great, but it would be dangerous for students to walk to school or wait outside for buses.  Everyone is encouraged to stay inside as much as possible since being having exposed skin outdoors for even a few minutes puts you at risk for frostbite.

This type of bone-chilling cold is uncomfortable and inconvenient, but for most people I know, it isn't life-threatening.

That's not the case for the thousands of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.  If cities and communities don't provide warming shelters and open up more temporary housing during this cold, it is incredibly likely that some people will not make it through these cold days and nights.  I've heard on the news about some of the efforts of large cities (For instance, Chicago is running free buses for those who refuse to leave their belongings by entering warming shelters ​weather.com/news/news/2019-01-29-chicago-homeless-population-warming-centers-extreme-cold), but nothing on my local news station.  I know that local shelters have extended their hours, but these efforts are not part of the main narrative of this storm.  These vulnerable people are not part of the public's consciousness.

I hope that wherever you are, you are able to find a warm place to weather this bitter winter storm.  I pray that those without their own warm homes to retreat to during these days have found shelter and care from their communities.