PRAY FOR PHILIPPINES
In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, we must remember God’s truth and then act on God’s heart. Believers are called to pray and share the heart of God for people in need.

 Suffering is not greater than God or His believers

Psalm 112:1, 6-8 “Praise the Lord… For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bade news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.”

Psalm 135:6-7 “Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightning’s for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.”

ð    Praise that we know God is trustworthy, even when we cannot see the meaning in trials or suffering.

ð    Pray that people will not lose hope in God

ð    Pray for people to see truth and love in action through believers meeting practical needs.

 

Suffering is not the end.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God… For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains… and not only the creation but we ourselves” Romans 8:18-19, 22-23

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies… For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 17

ð    Pray for God’s strength and provision to those who are still stranded, low on food and water, and are feeling helpless.  

ð    Pray for God’s comfort and care to the thousands who are grieving the loss of loved ones.  

ð    Pray for God’s protections to people living along the coastlines as storm surges threaten their homes.  

ð    Pray that roads and communication would be restored so BGR teams can bring aid relief to the islands of Leyte and Samar.

 

Suffering is an opportunity to share God’s hope and help

 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality… Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:12-13, 15

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2

“let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” 1John 3:18

ð    Pray for the volunteers who are coming and that they would fit well into what needs to be done.

ð    Pray for wisdom as IMB representatives work to coordinate these efforts.

ð    Pray for safety as IMB personnel and Filipino believers travel to disaster areas.

ð    Pray for opportunities for IMB personnel and national believers to share their faith and hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

ð    Pray that this would be an opportunity to really minister to those affected. IMB representatives’ No. 1 prayer request has been “that God would bring good out of great bad here.”

Donations to help with the disaster response can be made here: https://netcommunity.imb.org/SuperTyphoonHaiyan or to SPBC “Philippines Disaster Relief”.

IMB in the Philippines
http://media1.imbresources.org/files/189/18921/18921-104763.pdf

IMB plans after the Typhoon
http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=12563&LanguageID=1709

Information and pictures from the Philippines that will move your heart can be found here (warning: not for young children)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2501471/Philippines-Typhoon-Haiyan-Bodies-piled-streets-makeshift-mortuaries-overrun.html