22 February 2023
The disastrous earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria on 6 February 2023, have had a death toll of over 47,000 by 22 February. A further 6.4 magnitude earthquake in the same region on 20 February caused further death and destruction, with ongoing tremors expected.
While seismic activities are causing a crisis in Turkey and Syria, excessive rainfall has been causing flooding and landslides in the Southern Hemisphere. Many Southern African countries, Madagascar, Mauritius, Brazil, New Zealand and Australia have been affected and are facing the aftermath with the loss of lives and livelihoods.
The importance of keeping perspective
At a time like this, it is important to establish a lifestyle of listening to the Lord in prayer. Cultivate the habit of daily spending time with the Lord to listen to His voice – also regarding disasters. Listen to what He wants you to pray about in each of the situations.
What to pray for
- Pray for God’s supernatural intervention and help to save people who are trapped or injured.
- Pray for wisdom and strength for international teams and the governments of affected countries as they get involved with helping and managing the desperate situation on the ground.
- Pray for road repairs and bypasses to be built to reconnect areas that are cut off from main routes, so that supplies and provisions can be delivered.
- Ask the Lord to raise up counsellors to help survivors deal with the trauma they are experiencing.
- In disaster areas the outbreaks of diseases such as Malaria, Cholera etc. are a looming health problem. Pray for the building of field hospitals, as well as water purification systems to be made available.
- Let us pray for many souls to pour into God’s kingdom. Pray for Christians to boldly proclaim Christ and demonstrate the love of Jesus – to be ‘salt and light’ in these circumstances. Also pray for many instant miracles and healings to take place as they pray for and minister to victims.
- Please pray for God’s mercy so there will not be any devastation caused by further seismic activity, cyclones and heavy rains in these areas.
Find an article with more prayer guidelines and perspectives on natural disasters here.
This Prayer Alert was compiled by Jericho Walls International Prayer Network
info@jwipn.com
