Saturday, March 12, 2011

The Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

Let me first say that we are thankful to know that all of our friends and co-workers in Japan are safe. There are, however, thousands missing and possibly dead, and we do have many friends concerned about family members that they cannot reach. Celia and I have found it hard to sleep the last couple of nights because the disaster in Japan is so pressing on our minds.
A friend's room in Chiba after the earthquake
Perhaps we should consider ourselves fortunate that we are not caught up in all the confusion in Japan at the moment, but I can't help desiring to be a Christian presence in the midst of so much turmoil. But Celia and I are in Seattle, so we pray for Japan. It is hard to put our prayers into words. We see the videos, pictures, death count, and the comments of friends from Japan on Facebook. It is a lot to take in and a lot to bring to the Lord in prayer. Lately, my prayers have been like this:
Dear Lord, Japan needs you. Japan needs to stand on you as the steadfast Rock, who anchors all who call on your name when the waves of turmoil come. Through the pain and suffering and death of this earthquake and tsunami, may your love and peace and grace fall. May Japan call on your name and choose to rely on you who is greater than any disaster. I don't understand why this happened, and I can't fathom the depths of suffering of the people in Fukushima and Miyagi. You alone, God, know these things. You alone, God, can meet those suffering at their deepest need. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

1 comment:

Steve Wilkinson said...

So glad you are safe! We will certainly be praying for the people of Japan. -Steve