Understanding the California wildfires and other natural disasters

The California wildfires already have caused more than $1 billion in damage and consumed 1,500 homes. An editorial ran in The Christian Science Monitor yesterday from a resident's perspective on how to deal with the wildfires and other natural disasters: prayer.

Perhaps the best answer any of us can come up with is: We can pray! I don't pretend that my prayers alone are going to stop the fires in their tracks. As the brave firefighters and rescue teams work to contain the blazes, many individuals are praying in their churches, mosques, and synagogues – or, like me, at home – affirming the presence and wisdom of one universal God. And I've learned through a long study of the Bible and of 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,' written by Mary Baker Eddy, the woman who founded this newspaper, that prayer is truly 'doing something.' Prayer can lead to practical solutions.

I hope that God helps the affected residents through this time and that they hear his "still small voice".