Over the past several days, I have read about earthquakes that have brought death, destruction, and heartbreak to families across the world. Every headline tells of another home reduced to rubble, another child searching for a parent, another husband or wife grieving the loss of someone they dearly loved.
As I read these reports, my heart is moved with compassion.
Like many of you, I am not in a position to travel across the ocean to help clear away the debris. I cannot personally rebuild a home or restore what has been lost. I may not have great wealth to send to relief organizations.
But there is something every child of God can do.
We can pray.
The Bible tells us,
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2 (KJV)
Sometimes bearing another person's burden means rolling up our sleeves and going to work. At other times, it means falling on our knees before Almighty God and crying out for His mercy and comfort.
Today, there are thousands of hurting souls who need our prayers.
Some have lost husbands and wives.
Some have buried children.
Others have no home to return to.
Many are sitting in shelters wondering how they will face tomorrow.
While we may never know their names, God knows every one of them.
David wrote,
"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
What a comfort those words are.
When the earth beneath your feet begins to shake, it can seem as though everything you depended upon has disappeared. Buildings fall. Roads crack. Possessions vanish in a matter of seconds.
But there is one Rock that never moves.
The Lord Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The psalmist declared,
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed..."
Psalm 46:1-2 (KJV)
Notice those words: "a very present help."
Not a distant help.
Not a forgotten help.
A present help.
God is present in the hospital room.
He is present beside the pile of broken stones that was once a family home.
He is present beside those who weep over fresh graves.
He is present when the long night seems too dark to endure.
To those who have suffered because of these earthquakes, please know that many believers around the world are praying for you. We may never meet you on this side of eternity, but our hearts are joined with yours in your sorrow.
We pray that God will give you strength when your own strength has failed.
We pray He will surround you with people who will help carry your burdens.
We pray He will provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, healing for the injured, and peace for the brokenhearted.
Most of all, we pray that in this hour of suffering you will discover the comfort that only Christ can give.
Paul reminds us,
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation..."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV)
The God who comforts His children has not changed.
He still hears every prayer.
He still sees every tear.
He still knows every broken heart.
A Country Preacher's Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Today I lift before You every family affected by these earthquakes. Comfort those who mourn. Strengthen those who are weary. Protect the rescue workers searching for survivors. Provide for those who have lost everything they owned.
Wrap Your everlasting arms around those whose hearts have been shattered by grief. May they know that even in the darkest valley, You have not abandoned them.
Raise up compassionate people to help meet their needs, and remind all of us that we are called to bear one another's burdens. Give us hearts that are quick to pray, quick to love, and quick to show mercy.
May many find hope in Jesus Christ, the only sure foundation that cannot be shaken.
For it is in His precious name we pray.
Amen.
May we never become so busy with our own lives that we fail to notice the suffering of others. We may not be able to remove every burden, but we can help carry it through our prayers, our compassion, and our love.
When the earth trembles, let the people of God stand firm—not only in faith, but in compassion.
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