In case of emergency!

     If you have a two story house with the bedrooms on the second floor, you would want to have a portable ladder (roll up) so that people in those rooms could escape out the window.  If you live in a cold area of the country with lots of miles between civilization you would want to have blankets, chocolate, and some form of heat should you become stranded in the ditch.  Living in the tornado belt of America you would want to have either your own shelter or access to shelter when the siren goes off.  When you go online to do shopping you want to do business with only those sites that have the best protection of your valuable account information.  If you are in a committed relationship, both of you should have ICE (in case of emergency) programmed into your cell phones so that police/fire/ems can call your partner if you are found unconscious.  When you are about to leave on a trip across country or just a few miles away, it's important to have your car in good working condition, spare tire with air in it, and fluid levels checked.  All of these examples are ways that we protect ourselves and those we love in the case of an emergency.  We pray that these circumstances don't come our way.  However, we are told in the Bible to be wise in our planning and decision making.  Attention to detail is important.
     I routinely receive requests for prayer for "emergencies" like sickness, injury and domestic issues.  When I receive those requests I pass them on to several different destinations that deal with these emergencies.  First there are those believers who are close to me.  God has developed a network of believers that I am in daily contact with all over the world.  When someone (like you) texts, calls, emails or tells me of an emergency, I send that to the prayer chain for emergencies.  Within minutes thousands of people have been notified and are praying.  They have also activated their emergency response team and THEY are praying.  Those also notify their ERT (emergency response team) and THEY are praying.  It doesn't stop there.  Sometimes safe housing is arranged, transportation provided, clothing and food delivered, or local connections in the community provided for additional ongoing support.  I don't go anywhere, do anything, where those intimate with me aren't already praying for me.  When this is accomplished in my life, your life, or the lives of those we love, emergencies can be taken care of or even prevented.
     "Pie in the sky!" you might be thinking.  Having been at the center of many emergencies personal to me, I know the value of being prepared in case of emergencies.  It's easy to say "be of good cheer" and another thing to actually "be of good cheer."  Preparation is the key to all of our life's problems.  I cannot remember how many times I have read through the Bible.  I cannot tell you how many times I have studied different sections or topics contained in he Bible.  What I can tell you that, with few exceptions, I have sat down and read the Bible daily since 10/1/1972.  I may not be able to tell you where the verse is exactly located when you ask me.  I may not even be able to quote the verse as it I written.  What I am able to do is know that inside of me the Word of God resides and the Holy Spirit can bring to mind Scriptures appropriate to when needed.  People don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care.  Do you care enough about yourself to prepare for your personal emergencies?  Do you care enough about your loved ones to prepare for their personal emergencies?  Do you care enough about your friends and associates to prepare for their emergencies as well?  Finally, do you care enough about your enemies to prepare for their emergencies as well?  If you don't have the Word residing within you, you are not prepared.
     Just to be clear; I am NOT perfect, have not perfected prayer or prayer chains, have not perfected my knowledge of the Bible, and fail on a daily basis.  I've bowed down to emergencies and failed to do anything just as I've entered into emergencies and done to much.  I've taken circumstances into my own hands and messed them up more than fixed them.  I am NOT perfect.  BUT...you don't need to be perfect to be the "in case of emergency" guy or gal.  All you need to do is be prepared, pray and listen to God as he shows you his most excellent way.  When we have done what we can, we leave the emergency with God, on the altar, with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit to do their perfect will in peoples lives.  In case of emergency, call upon God.