A Pastor’s Spiritual Response to Hurricane Melissa’s Aftermath
Stranded in Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa, American pastor Bill Devlin has turned his predicament into a spiritual mission. Despite the devastating storm that has caused power outages and numerous fatalities across the Caribbean, Devlin is encouraging a global community to engage in fasting and prayer for those affected.
Pastor Devlin, a Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient, had traveled to Jamaica on October 23 to deliver a speech at a pro-life Christian conference and to officiate a wedding for a close Christian associate. However, his return was delayed when the island’s airports shut down as the Category 5 hurricane approached.
“I was providentially hindered here for a reason,” Devlin stated, emphasizing his belief in a higher purpose. “I’m just waiting on God to direct my steps at this point.”
As Melissa transitioned from a Category 5 to a Category 2 storm, it left a trail of destruction, killing at least 30 people in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Many lost their lives in Haiti due to an overflowing river. The storm has significantly disrupted communications and infrastructure.
Devlin had initiated a water-only fast upon his arrival in Jamaica, which he is continuing despite the chaos around him. “When I came down here last Thursday, I started a water-only fast and prayer time,” he recounted. “So I’m going into day eight with this water-only fast, and I’ve been alerting people around the world and all my 21 nations that I go to and to pray and fast for Jamaica.”
Currently based in Kingston, Devlin plans to assist in heavily impacted western regions of Jamaica. He noted, “The big organizations like Samaritan’s Purse and others, which are on their way here, and their volunteers and directors, they’ll be doing the heavy lift, but we’ll be here to assist in any way that we can.”
Through his organizations REDEEM! and Widows and Orphans, Devlin is committed to providing support, whether through financial donations or direct assistance. “I’ve worked with Samaritan’s Purse in other countries, and they really do the best job,” he added. International aid is also expected from entities like the European Union, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the World Food Program.
Devlin continues his fast, urging others to join him in this spiritual endeavor. “We just need to appeal to Heaven,” he expressed. “God has called me to a life of fasting and prayer… In the midst of these natural disasters, whether they’re hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, I normally call people to prayer wherever they occur.”
Highlighting a lesson from the Gospels, Devlin hopes to inspire the Western Church to embrace fasting and prayer. “I say prayer is knocking on the door of Heaven, but fasting is banging on the door of Heaven. I’ve got a few colleagues that are joining with me in these long-term water-only fasts for, in this situation, for Jamaica because there’s been so much devastation.”
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
