A Prayer for Steve Irwin

Many of our readers will be familiar with Australian naturalist and TV personality Steve Irwin and his wife, Terri, who for years hosted "The Crocodile Hunter" program on Animal Planet. Steve died this week while filming a documentary when a singray attacked him, spearing him with its barb. He leaves behind not only his wife but two small children.

Perhaps readers of Anthrakia might want to remember Irwin's family in their prayers this week. My family and I have enjoyed his work for a long time, and we will miss him like a personal friend.

In additon to the normal prayers for comfort and understanding, we might also pray for the thousands of other men and women who face danger in the course of their jobs. Irwin, of course, was an entertainer and educator, but police offcers, firefighters, military personnel go to work every day not knowing if they will return.

Perhaps such a prayer might go like this:

Almightly God, please send your Holy Spirit to comfort the family of Steve Irwin. Be with them in their time of loss and bring the healing that only You can bring. Also, Lord, be with the men and women who must go into dangerous waters each day. Help them to accept the dangers of their service, and to know that You are with them in every sea, at every depth. Be with us also, Lord, as we struggle to accept the loss of a beloved naturalist and educator. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.