Almighty and gracious God,
we offer our prayers to you the nations of Turkiye and Syria, shaken by violent earthquake and aftershocks.
We are reminded of our vulnerability as human creatures who inhabit this vast earth. As the ancient psalmist wrote, “You are our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of trouble.”
Please uphold those under whom the earth has just given way. Calm their fears and enable many to turn to you for help in their distress.
We pray for those in Turkiye and Syria who grieve the devastating loss of life; for the injured or traumatised; for those searching for survivors; for those whose property has been destroyed or livelihoods ruined. We ask for your healing presence in their lives.
We ask you to speed access and to strengthen all those involved in search and rescue, and in care for the injured. We commend to your care those will work in the clean up. May shelter from the elements, with clean water, food and medical care be supplied as quickly as possible.
Be with the governments of these nations, and support efforts sent from other countries around the world, along with aid agencies, churches and other organisations, as they seek to serve. Sustain them through a time of tremendous stress.
We pray for Turkish and Syrian migrants among us in Australia who feel homesick and far away from loved ones at this time.
May generous gestures of practical aid and prayer support offered lift the spirits of those who hurt.
We give thanks to you, our God, for the blessing in our lives, especially for the gifts we so often take for granted till they are in danger of being taken from us - the gift of family, friends, a home, our possessions.
Help us to be generous with what we have for the sake of those in need.
Most of all we praise you for the gift of Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life to all who believe in him. And we look for the day when you will wipe every tear away from our eyes, through Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer.
Amen.
By Anglican Aid