Chapel Hill on the campgrounds of Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas. The camp was destroyed in the Guadalupe River flood of July 4, 2025.
PRAY FIRST for healing for the families who lost loved ones and have been displaced.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 119:18
In central Texas, the 4th of July weekend turned into flooding that has been described as one of the worst natural disasters in Texas history, with significant damage to infrastructure and homes. The Guadalupe River experienced a dramatic rise, leading to a catastrophic flood wave that devastated communities, claimed numerous lives, and left many missing. The response has involved extensive search and rescue operations, declarations of disaster, and calls for prayer and support from both state and federal leaders.
A Timeline
July 2, 2025
– The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) activated state emergency response resources due to the threat of flooding.
July 4, 2025
– Heavy rains in the predawn hours caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes.
– A deadly flood wave sent a 20-foot wall of water several miles downstream, leading to catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country.
– The flooding resulted in deaths and many more missing. Among the victims were 27 girls from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp.
July 5, 2025
– Search and rescue operations continued, with more than 500 people rescued or evacuated, many by air.
– Texas Governor Greg Abbott toured the devastated areas and described the scenes as “nothing short of horrific.”
July 6, 2025
– Governor Greg Abbott declared July 6 a Day of Prayer in Texas, urging Texans to join in prayer for the lives lost, those still missing, and the recovery of affected communities.
– President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Texas, ensuring federal resources would be available to support recovery efforts. FEMA was activated to assist with search and rescue operations.
July 7, 2025
– The death toll continued to rise, with at least 82 confirmed dead across the state. The focus remained on finding the missing and providing aid to those affected.
Ongoing Efforts
Local government agencies are working closely with state and federal authorities to coordinate relief efforts and ensure that resources are distributed efficiently. This includes providing information on available assistance programs and helping residents navigate the recovery process.
President Donald Trump, who signed a Major Disaster Declaration for the state, has enabled the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide federal resources and assistance to support recovery efforts, including search and rescue operations, temporary housing, and financial aid for those affected.
Community
In the wake of the flooding, the community has come together in remarkable ways to support those affected.
Numerous relief funds have been established to provide financial assistance to victims and their families. Local businesses, churches, and non-profit organizations have been actively raising funds and collecting donations of essential items such as food, clothing, and hygiene products.
Hundreds of volunteers have mobilized to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts. These volunteers are helping to clear debris, distribute supplies, and provide emotional support to those who have lost their homes and loved ones.
Emergency shelters have been set up in schools, community centers, and churches to provide temporary housing for those displaced by the flooding. Efforts are also underway to find more permanent housing solutions for affected families.
Personal Testimony
One family, steadfast in their faith and deeply rooted in Kerrville, offers a compassionate perspective on their town`s resilience and the healing power of prayer.
Our prayer ministry, with thousands of past and present members in this affected area, reached out to them to share their response. They understand the unique spirit of their community and believe prayer can bring solace, hope, and restoration during this time of immense grief.
My husband and I have struggled to find words.
We have been aching and our hearts groaning for healing as news comes in about our hurting community. Camp Mystic is so dear to us in more ways than we could convey. Its existence and the generosity of the camp owners and how they have played a vital role in our lives. While pregnant with my own son, I got the privilege of spending every Tuesday and Thursday on the property caring for one of their children. My daughter was only 2 1/2 at the time. Those are precious memories on the river bank, playing and leaning into the stress-free nature of its surroundings.
After giving birth to my son, we crossed paths again when my husband received work opportunities out there during one of our most financially difficult seasons as young parents. He now works primarily at the camp on various buildings and projects. The camp family are dear to us. Our church picnics are held here and my sweet daughter was baptized in the water, under cypress trees that have now been stripped away.
I say all of this to remind people that these are real people. This was an unforeseen disaster and these families now need us to pray for them and believe that those prayers are enough. To actually pray and to believe that God works through those prayers. Utter the words. Speak to the Father. Petition. Praise. Lament. He can and will undertake it all.
To hear about the devastation and loss and feel like we can’t help- it’s painful. There’s a long road ahead. And we will walk it. We will bear those burdens alongside them and so many others.
In time, our Heavenly Father will make all things new. He will restore all things and, in the meantime, hold each of these families and others affected by this immeasurable loss.
– A resident of Kerrville, name withheld for privacy.
Why It Matters and How We Can Respond
How we show compassion in difficult times is a reflection of how Jesus taught us to care for others. In moments of crisis, our actions and prayers can provide comfort, hope, and healing to those who are suffering. By embodying the love and compassion of Christ, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by the flooding in Central Texas.
HOW THEN SHOULD WE PRAY:
— Pray for those who are grieving to seek God’s comfort during this time. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 3-4
— Pray for protection, strength, and resolve for the first responders who are sacrificing of themselves to help others. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
THESE ITEMS FOR PRAYER:
– Pray for the families and individuals who have lost loved ones, homes, and possessions.
– Pray for the first responders and search and rescue teams as they continue to look for those who are still missing.
– Pray for state and federal officials, and all emergency management personnel, as they coordinate massive relief and recovery efforts.
Sources: texas.gov, whitehouse.gov, presidentiaprayerteam.org
