In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I like most Americans was dismayed by the slow response to the tremendous suffering of the people of New Orleans and other residents in the Gulf Coast region. I hate to admit it, but I was especially dismayed by my own response—or lack thereof.

I had heard Katrina was coming. I even heard the weather reports warn that Katrina could reach category five before she reached the coast. But it's as if I was asleep. In the days preceding the storm I went about my business as usual with little concern for those in the South and was virtually clueless regarding what was about to unfold on the Gulf Coast.

Immediately following the storm, I felt numb as I watched the news and slowly came to terms with what was happening. It wasn't until day two or three after the storm that I finally began to awaken from the slumber of denial and come to terms with the fact that my fellow Americans were enduring unimaginable horrors in the wake of Katrina.

As I came to the realization that I myself, and our nation as a whole, was slow to respond, I couldn't help but wonder, "How does heaven feel about the people of God in America regarding our response to those who are lost and on the brink of slipping into a Christless eternity?" Could our response to Katrina be an illustration of lethargy in the Body of Christ regarding our sense of urgency for world evangelization?

It's not like I've been totally asleep. I've made an effort to remain fervent in prayer for revival and spiritual awakening throughout nearly 20 years of pastoral ministry. And I have become increasingly more passionate about missions and evangelism in recent years.

I had even set aside September 6, 2005, as a day of prayer and fasting before I ever knew anything about Katrina. And I had challenged the church I serve to stand with me and our church staff in fasting and prayer on September 6.

On the Sunday before Katrina, I had urged the church to pray to God to bring a new season of revival and life to our congregation. In spite of all that, I have to admit that I was still caught off guard by Katrina. I finally came to terms with my own lethargy in the middle the night on Friday, September 2. In those sleepless and restless hours I felt the Lord clearly direct me to arise from my slumber and prepare a new message with an urgent call for the Church to return to him.

Turning to the book of Joel I believe God has a word for his people in America today just as he had a word for the people of Judah in the days of the prophet Joel. Could Katrina's devastation of the southern region of America be our great swarm of locusts? If so, God has a remedy for us just as he had for the people in Joel's day.

I am greatly encouraged and I believe the Lord is pleased with the outpouring of compassion and aide that people of God have marshaled for those affected by the storm. There is an even more urgent need, however, for the people of God to return to the Lord their God. Notice the remedy God gave to the people Judah regarding their Katrina—the locust swarm:

God's Message to Joel son of Pethuel: Attention, elder statesman! Listen closely, everyone, whoever and wherever you are! Have you ever heard of anything like this? Has anything like this ever happened before—ever? . . . Declare a holy fast. Call a special meeting. Get the leaders together. Round up everyone in the country. Get them into God's sanctuary for serious prayer to God. . . . Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to GOD, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot. This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he'll do it now, maybe he'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust for your God! Blow the ram's horn trumpet in Zion! Declare a day of repentance, a holy fast day. Call a public meeting. Get everyone there. Consecrate the congregation. Make sure the elders come, but bring in the children, too, even the nursing babies. Even men and women on their honeymoon—interrupt them and get them there. Between the sanctuary entrance and altar, let the priests, GOD's servants, weep tears of repentance. Let them intercede: "Have mercy GOD, on your people! Don't abandon your heritage to contempt. Don't let the pagans take over and rule them and sneer, "And so where is this God of theirs?" (Joel 1:1,14; 2:13-17, The Message)

Taking my lead from the Word of God, I called our people to a solemn assembly on Wednesday, September 7. We held an interdenominational prayer gathering as two pastor friends from two other congregations led their people to join us for a very moving service and a time of serious prayer. I challenge every spiritual leader reading this message to consider God's will for you and your people with regard to calling a day of repentance and a holy fast. God's people must arise from their slumber and intercede throughout the land!

Clark Killingsworth is pastor of College Avenue Baptist Church in Normal, Ill. He is a licensed and certified Church consultant available for consultation in the areas of prayer and fasting, church health, strategic planning and church growth. He can be reached at cskillingsworth@insightbb.com.