(UPDATE, 2.0 - I'm changing the date on this again, so the post for Hurricane Relief Day - instead of this post - will be on top. Nevertheless, please offer any prayers in the comments here or on the other post. Thanks.)
The Instapundit posts several links and ideas on ways to send help to our states devestated by Katrina. I will go with Hugh Hewitt's suggestion of Samaritan's Purse, and also the American Red Cross. (UPDATE: Via Black Five, Soldiers' Angels is setting up help for members of the Louisiana National Guard who are returning from Iraq. In the post comments are also reminders about where veterans can go for help from the VA, as well as more information and addresses. So, now I have three suggestions for help and/or donations! I've taken care of my committment to Samaritan's Purse, and the American Red Cross. I will now go over to Soldiers' Angels as well.)
I also e-mailed Amazon asking them why the heck they don't have their front page set up for donations as they did for the tsunami relief in Asia. I would urge you to do the same. (UPDATE: Via Michelle Malkin,
An Amazon spokesperson said that the online retailer had no plans to post a donation link on its site. "Each case is different," she said. "The Red Cross has essentially given over its entire site to donations. The tsunami came out of the blue, so it was an 'all hands on deck' situation, but the Red Cross has been getting ready for this and getting its message out there for several days."
Uh-huh. That is very disappointing.)
(UPDATE to my UPDATE: Amazon has now placed a link to the American Red Cross near the upper right corner of the homepage. I could wish for something splashier, but something is better than nothing.)
I will keep this up top for the rest of the week, so please do what you can to help. Remember, if your finances prohibit, you can pray - which may be one of the most critically important ways to help.
For those wishing to join in prayer, I've posted mine in the extended section, and I encourage you to add yours in the comments, if you would.
Dear Father in heaven, in the powerful Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, I beg You to lift Your hand and lay it on those suffering from Hurricane Katrina. I pray that You show Your grace and mercy - healing the sick and injured, giving Your protection, strengthening men and women to help each other, and forbidding the lawless to do major harm. I ask You, Father, to intercede on behalf of emergency workers, police, firefighters, and our national Guard. I implore You to grant them safety and health as they work to ease pain and rebuild from the devastation.
You, Lord, are El Shaddai - God Almighty and All-Sufficient - You can provide all that is needed. Your arm is strong to save, and Your love endures forever. Your Presence is to be desired above everything, and Your patience is indeed bountiful. I entreat You to display Your glory by Your mercy and Your providence for the citizens of this country. You have richly blessed us, Lord, and I pray You will bless us still.
Give us strength and unity, let us come alongside our neighbors and show the world how Your country displays courage and love to our own. Open our hearts and our hands that we may comfort, heal, nourish, and rebuild. Please, Father, let this draw us to You - to rely on Your strength, to trust in Your goodness and Your plan, and to proclaim the humble love of Your Beloved Son to people who so desperately need it.
It is in the Name of Jesus the Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, that I offer this prayer. Amen.
