News is changing faster than newspapers can print it or television and radio media can check the facts, but apparently the U.S. government is now issuing debit cards to Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Reports vary as to where the cards are going. But according to the Family Research Council, those who have moved on from large shelters to private homes and churches must register themselves with FEMA in order to receive assistance. The site story provides more information as well as numbers to call and more ways to help the evacuees.

Amid all the confusion and criticism that started early and hasn’t yet let up despite the largest scale relief effort launched in American disaster history, President Bush has declared Sept. 16 a day of national prayer. While the National Day of Prayer is still officially held in May each year, the National Day of Prayer Task Force headed by Shirley Dobson, is stepping up to be involved with the new day designed especially for those impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

And in other Hurricane Katrina news, churches on the storm-battered Gulf Coast are encountering difficulty assessing property damage and finding their scattered sheep. The government isn’t the only organization suffering from a complete communication breakdown in the region.

Church leaders are also speculating on the nature of the storm that may or may not bring America to her knees. Was it God’s wrath against abortion? Homosexuality? The forced evacuation of Israelis in Gaza? There are Christian leaders who have claimed each of the three reasons. But as Mark D. Roberts, pastor of Canal Street Presbyterian Church blogs, if Katrina was a message from God it came without any specific explanation and hit targets that included seminaries and churches along with casinos and bars.

Jim Wallis of Sojourners sees the Hurricane as a telephoto lens on the plight of America’s poor. People who were invisible to the rest of a relatively well-off nation are suddenly soaking up the entire news hour. Wallis calls on the Church to use Katrina as a springboard to a renewed commitment to eradicate poverty. Wallis is right. It shouldn't require a natural disaster or terrorism to mobilize Christians to lend a hand. 

Of course, Jesus said the poor would always be with us. Maybe the Church can help assure there are fewer and fewer poor. And certainly Christians have a moral obligation to help.

I can’t help thinking that it is the storms that provide the Church the opportunity to show compassion. The poor do that, too. Something about losing everything softens some people’s hearts to find permanent hope. I’m praying churches all over America can supply that hope through Christ.