Rhemalogy

Six more people were killed in the latest earthquake to strike the border region of Turkey and Syria, two weeks after a massive quake killed more than 47,000 people and damaged or destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. The earthquakes were followed by more than 2,100 aftershocks. As of Tuesday, February 21, 2023, over 48,900 deaths have been confirmed: over 42,300 in Turkey, and over 6,600 in Syria. It was the deadliest seismic event in the history of Turkey since the 526 Antioch earthquake and the deadliest in Syria since the 1822 Aleppo earthquake.  The people in these regions really need our prayers now more than ever.

Almighty God, we pray for the people of Turkey and Syria, for the victims, the injured, and all those affected by the earthquake devastation. We pray for mercy and grace in this troubling time. We pray for first responders, and all those working tirelessly to rescue survivors from beneath the rubble. Please guide and sustain them in the midst of this disaster. Grant those affected courage and resilience, as they rebuild their lives and communities. May the God of Peace sustain their efforts. We mourn the death and destruction. and pray for those who have died and those who grieve. We hold in our hearts those who are injured and those who have lost loved ones, livelihoods, and homes. Inspire us to come together in unity, acting swiftly and generously, so that help may reach all those who need it. Lord, please bring them comfort, strength, and renewed hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Come, you disconsolate, where’er ye languish;
come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish;
Earth has no sorrows that Heaven cannot heal.

Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,
hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, in mercy saying,
“Earth has no sorrows that Heaven cannot cure.”

Here see the bread of life; see waters flowing
forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the feast prepared; come, ever knowing
Earth has no sorrows that Heaven cannot remove.

—Thomas Moore

*Earthquake information extracted from Wikipedia.com.