Pray for Southeast Asia

This is an email that I received from Open Doors ministry.

December 29, 2004

“May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way…” II Thessalonians 3:16

Dear Friends,

I know you are probably just as heart broken as we are here at Open Doors by the news of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia, and I’m sure you have already been in prayer for all those suffering from its destructive power.

Just two weeks ago, my husband and I listened to our pastor teaching on the lack of peace in our fallen world. He talked about how we cannot have peace in this crazy world without placing the Lord at the center of our lives. Only then can we experience true peace. Our pastor also reminded us of the peace that God promises we will have in eternity, free from all the pain and suffering of this world. Therefore, we can acknowledge that God did not cause this disaster to happen, but know this is another consequence of a condemned world. We know “why” tragedies like this exist, but we are not overcome by them. We hold the promise and knowledge of God’s provision in our hearts, trusting in His perfect plan for His children.

Please join us in continuing to pray for all the millions who are now homeless, displaced, injured and/or suffering the loss of a friend or family member. We pray that our Heavenly Father will meet their every need, whether that is physical, emotional, spiritual, economical, financial, etc.

We also want to ask you to join us in praying for our co-workers throughout these areas from whom we have yet to receive word. Personally, I have not stopped praying specifically for our Indonesia Director, along with his wife and two young children. We have become good friends through email over the last several months and we had just written each other last week, wishing each other a “Merry Christmas.” I have since sent him another email, hoping and praying that he and his family are safe. Please join me in lifting them up in prayer.

We also recognize, as a result of this tragedy, that the harvest is ripe as so many will be seeking hope and comfort in the midst of their difficult circumstances. We pray that those who do not know the Lord will be ministered to in the name of Jesus. We pray that they will find the true peace that can only be found in God’s Word and by accepting Him as their personal Savior. Please join us in praying that the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts and minds of all those who are suffering and give them the comfort and peace that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

We also pray for the Christians throughout this area, that their testimony of faith will remain strong and that they will be a light in the midst of all this darkness. We pray that the Lord will use them in mighty ways to minister to all those in need. We continue to pray for the Churches throughout these areas, that they will remain strong and courageous in the face of affliction. We pray that the Holy Spirit will give the Pastors and Church leaders the encouragement and comfort that they need to counsel all those they come into contact with.


God be with you,
Andrea Ireland
Open Doors USA

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