(Photo courtesy HCJB Global) Smoke from Waldo Canyon fire can be seen outside of HCJB headquarters.
USA (MNN) ― An out-of-control wildfire displaced tens of thousands of Colorado residents.
On Thursday, the Waldo Canyon blaze was still only 5% contained. Since it began on Saturday, it has threatened Colorado's second-largest city, burning nearly 20,000 acres in less than a week.
The full scope of the fire remains unknown. Intense flames and smoke prevented rescue workers from being able to tell which structures were destroyed and which ones were still standing.
Wayne Pederson, CEO and President of HCJB Global, says their offices were evacuated on Tuesday night. Although HCJB plans to reopen their offices today (June 29), with the fire still raging, they're not out of the woods yet.
Due to the high concentration of ministries, staff, and residents affected by the fire, Pederson offered this prayer:
"Dear Lord,
I'm looking at Your Word from Isaiah 43 that says, 'When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not consume you.'
Thank You for your fidelity to that promise of protection for those that follow You. We know that we're not exempt from difficultly, but still under Your watchful care. We're thankful how You have protected life and property through this time.
We don't understand natural disasters like this because they seem so unlike Your loving care, but we know we live in a broken world, and natural disasters happen. Thank You for your protective care for all of our people and ministries and servants and churches in this area.
We ask that You would continue to protect the fire, police, military, rescue personnel, Red Cross, the Salvation Army. Continue to give them the resources of food, water, and finances to supply the needs of the firefighters and the people that have been displaced.
Thank You for this opportunity that we have to show God's Love in a tangible way to people that are hurting, to the people that are fighting on our behalf for our safety. We ask for Your continued hand over our city.
We ask that this be a wake-up call, that we realize that the things of this world pass away and will be burned, but Your Word will endure forever . Help our people to establish eternal values in the light of this disaster.
We pray that this would be a call from You to draw men and women to Yourself.
We pray these things, with thanksgiving, in Christ's name. Amen."
HCJB Global offices are in the evacuation zone, within two miles of many of the houses that have been destroyed. On Thursday, all the roads remained closed in the area to allow emergency equipment free access.
There are about four staff members and their families who live in the evacuation zone, but so far, their homes have been spared.
The fire is still totally unpredictable and is changing daily depending on the wind. There are thunder storms in the forecast--a bitter sweet hope. Lightening could start new fires unless there is a significant amount of rain.
Please keep praying.
