Japan and the earthquake

Items for prayer

Lord God, this is pointless death and destruction, so hard to even understand one tenth of it because I am not there and it seems so far away. But I am horrified by what I hear or see about the earthquake in Japan and the subsequent consequences of it. Japan is crying, and you are crying with her. We cry too.

1) Though thousands have been evacuated, 3 people have been confirmed to have been exposed to the leaking radioactive steam while 90 are suspected to have been exposed. Please pray that the radiation will be contained or the consequences will be devastating. (source from TVBS)

Please God, help them to get medical assistance and to also be able to contain the radiation. Japan has been through so much already. Help those who were exposed to be able to get medicine in time to recover, if possible. Cool the radiation, bring help from other countries as quickly as possible please.


2) Shirakawa has over 900 dead and 700 missing. In the town of Minami sanriku, over 9500 are unaccounted for.

God, those who lost their loved ones will be grieving but those who do not know where their loved ones are will be torn between mourning and fear. Please give them rest and comfort in each other, and help those around them to support them. In this situation, let people lean on each other.


3) After shocks continue with 2 major at 6.1 and 6.4 magnitude. 6 million households without electricity.

Lord, people can panic in such situations and often this can lead to so much more trouble, help everyone to stay calm and to be able to get the food and water they need. Also to have toilets and also whatever they need for healthcare and first aid. Christchurch had a lot of trouble with keeping conditions sanitary and still need more toilets. This leads to illness very quickly. Protect Japan from this.


4) For the safety and well-being of rescue workers who are working non-stop to save many believed to be still buried under rubble but alive.

God, protect the rescue workers, keep them safe and make sure they look out for each other. I pray that they will also make sure they remember to eat and drink properly so that they can keep working. Help them to also get enough rest, Lord. And Lord please guide them so that they may find everyone, and as many alive as possible. And also, please Lord, help them not to feel guilty if they are too late or can't find everyone. This task is so massive, and so dangerous even now with the aftershocks. Help the workers not to blame themselves if they can't get everyone out.


5) For the anxious and distraught families and friends of those who died and those who are still missing and those who are anxious waiting for the rescue of those buried.

God, give everyone endurance for this is a terrible trial for everyone involved; parents, children, friends and lovers. Give them rest when they need it, and courage to face whatever will happen. Times like these remind us that we are very human and that despite the strength of our technology, we are not immortal and technology is not of much use when nature strikes. Please comfort the people, Lord, Japan are your people too. You are sorrowing over the loss of your children Lord, I know you are.


6) That God will come and comfort His people and His creation and draw all into His bosom of love and comfort.

Dear God the compassionate Father, those trapped must be in terror and exhausted. Please ease their suffering. If they are not found in time, help them and comfort them in their last moments. Ease their souls, Lord God. Make things easier for them please, they should not have to suffer. Look after your lambs, and protect them from the enemy of the spirit.
This is the hardest part of being human. It is so hard to be helpless, and so hard to accept the deaths of our loved ones. Please comfort the ones who have been left behind, those who must continue to live without the ones they were close to. Give them your peace, Holy Spirit, give them your strength. Jesus, thank you for your intercession on our behalf and that because of you, death is not the end. We will see the ones we love again. God, help the people of Japan to take some small comfort in this knowledge. Help the believers to rally together to support everyone, in spiritual and physical ways. Cooking a meal, helping to clean the house, bringing water, letting them use the car, any way that they can. Open the people's hearts to each other Lord God, and to you. God help Japan please, your beloved country.


One more thing Lord; there will be many examples of nastiness in this type of situation as well as goodness. Tragedy and trouble bring out the darker side of human nature too. Please give everyone graciousness in dealing with each other in this very stressful time. Protect children and the weak from looters or dangerous people who could try to take advantage of a crisis situation. Bring the good in people out, and do not tolerate the bad. Please God, help everyone to accept each other and not to quarrel often. Give them patience and kindness in crowds and other stressful situations. Please help Japan to recover with everyone's help. Financially this will be very hard also. Help us all to give to each other whatever we can and so be able to help each other in emergencies like this.

Lord God, there is not much more I can say. Amen, let it be so.
Just help please, help.