The devastating disaster in Japan breaks our hearts. And the response of World Vision’s donors and supporters around the world has been deeply touching. Many of you are asking the question: “How can we help?” As with all things, the first and most important way to help is to pray – pray without ceasing for those who are suffering and those who are reaching out to the victims.
Would you pray with us, along with our staff and colleagues around the world? Here are some reflections for your prayers in the days and weeks ahead.

PRAY FOR THOSE WHO GRIEVE
Thousands of families have lost loved ones. Their hearts are broken. Let yours be broken with them and share in their grief. Ask God to touch them in a way that lets them know, unmistakably, that He knows what is happening to them and that He hasn’t turned His back on them. As the psalmist wrote, “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation” (Psalm 5:3). On their behalf, claim the promise of Philippians 4:7 by asking God to grant them the peace that passes all understanding–the peace that comes when everything around them says they should have no peace. Pray also for people in Japan, the United States and around the world who have been unable to reach their friends and relatives in the quake-affected area.

PRAY FOR THE PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Children who are separated from their families after a disaster are at extraordinary risk for accidents, disease or even falling prey to criminals. Ask God to be strong tower and a place of safety for those children. Ask Him to guide them to those who can help them, and ask Him to confound and confuse all those who would seek to harm these precious little ones.

PRAY FOR JAPANESE CHRISTIANS
Among those who are directly impacted by the earthquake and tsunami are our Japanese brothers and sisters in Christ. Ask God to be an ever-present hope for them in this time of trouble, and to grant them an extra measure of His grace. During this most difficult time, let people see Jesus in their lives.

PRAY FOR WISDOM
Scripture tells us that by wisdom, the Lord founded the earth. Without it, our best intentions can dissolve into chaos. Ask God to grant wisdom to the Japanese government officials who most certainly are overwhelmed with offers of aid. Ask Him to help them make wise choices about how best to make use of the resources they are offered and how to get them to those in need quickly and effectively. For the relief agencies working in the disaster areas, ask God to give them discernment to know what assistance to offer and a clear plan for putting it to good use. For individuals and churches who want to assist financially, ask God to give them wisdom in deciding how much to give and which organizations to support.

PRAY FOR HEALTH
Ask God, the Great Physician, to be at work in the bodies of those who were injured in the earthquake and the tsunami, and those in the areas surrounding the nuclear power plants where there could be a risk of radiation exposure. Ask Him to be with the health care workers who are setting up emergency clinics. Pray for the efforts to establish sanitation, deal with the risk of water-borne illnesses from floodwaters and to deliver clean drinking water.

PRAY FOR ENERGY
After a disaster, the enormity of the recovery can be paralyzing. Relief workers trying to save as many survivors as they can will push themselves past the point of exhaustion. Ask God to give them extra energy. On their behalf, claim the promise of Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

PRAY FOR PASSION
As we’re bombarded with heart-wrenching images from Japan, it’s easy to reach a point where we just want to turn off the news and go back to the safety and routine of our own lives. Ask God to prick our consciences when we are tempted to turn away from those in need. Ask Him to replace our complacency with an unquenchable passion for what matter most to Him—people. Give us the heart to live out Christ's command that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves.