Devotional for Monday Jan 03, 2005: How You Can Help Disaster Victims
Greg Laurie Senior Pastor Harvest Christian Fellowship Riverside, Ca
Our regular Daily Devotion will resume with tomorrow's mailing, but today please take a moment to read a message by Greg Laurie regarding the Southeast Asia tragedy:
Dear Friend,
The tsunami in Southeast Asia is one of the most horrific natural disasters in recent history, with over 140,000 confirmed dead, at the time of this writing, and thousands still missing. In addition to this tragic death toll, there exists a high probability that disease will claim thousands more in the coming months.
With a natural disaster as grave as this, it is vital that the body of Christ responds through fervent prayer and sensible action.
Prayer is the most effective way that we can help. I ask that we make a serious commitment to prayer in this time of tragedy. As Christians, we must keep this disaster at the top of our prayer lists. Every time we hear recent news on this event, we must pray and pray specifically!
The following are some suggested ways to pray:
Pray for the people affected by this disaster every time you hear about it.
Pray for the healing of the injured.
Pray for the families world-wide who have lost loved ones.
Pray for those people who have lost their homes.
Pray that disease and the spread of disease is avoided.
Pray for the wisdom, safety, and strength of relief workers.
Pray for an opportunity to minister in a tangible way.
Pray that the gospel will be proclaimed and heard by those who have never heard it before.
In addition to prayer, we should take action in every way possible. Here are some Christ-like ways for you to make a difference in this time of need:
Support: You can help fund the efforts in Southeast Asia through your financial support. Harvest is partnering with our friends at Samaritan’s Purse to minister on site. Samaritan’s Purse is the international evangelical relief ministry headed by my close friend, Franklin Graham. In over a hundred countries each year, Samaritan’s Purse provides crisis assistance in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Your faithful gift will be directly given to the Tsunami Relief Fund.
Share: It’s easy for people to blame or question God during times like these. I encourage you to take this opportunity to share the love and grace of God with those struggling with the magnitude of this tragedy. To help equip you to share God’s love with others, I want to offer you a free resource called Dealing with Disaster. In it I provide a biblical examination of why God allows natural disasters.
It is my prayer that through the power of the Holy Spirit, God directs you to minister Jesus to those in need, whether it is through your faithful support or prayer.
In Christ,
Greg Laurie
The mighty oceans have roared, O Lord.
The mighty oceans roar like thunder;
the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore.
But mightier than the violent raging of the seas,
mightier than the breakers on the shore—
the Lord above is mightier than these!
