Let us serve as the Lord’s ambassadors of prayer as we lift up those recently affected by hurricanes, fires and earthquakes.
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world,” Psalm 46:10 (NLT).
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT).
As the severe devastation from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria leave people homeless, the spread of fires along the West Coast grows, and the damage of 8.1 and 7.1 magnitude earthquakes in Mexico are assessed—all including the loss of precious lives—many of us are left feeling helpless. Whether watching from afar, or experiencing record-breaking flooding up-close and personal, or blazing flames in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and California, I pray for peace of mind for all those affected by these massive calamities. It’s more than heartbreaking to know that many of our brothers and sisters in these areas are facing incredible loss and hardship.
Let us all remember, though, that God is a God of comfort and restoration. Scripture tells us to give “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT). Friend, would you kindly take a moment out of your day today to pray for those affected directly and indirectly by these deadly hurricanes, raging fires and massive earthquake? Let us pray for comfort, strength and the power of the Lord to stir within the hearts of those affected.
I am reminded of a testimony one of our ministry friends shared with us a few years ago when she was experiencing a dark and uncertain time. Our friend, who happens to be from Texas, writes:
“I remember clearly a time when I found myself in a situation that, at the time, felt ‘hopeless.’ Circumstances did not seem like they could get any worse. I did not even know how to pray about it because it seemed so hopeless. Glumly, I went to my concordance and did a word-search for ‘hope.’ As it turns out, the Bible has a lot of hope in it! As I let the Spirit of God minister to my spirit, I began to get a glimpse of God’s perspective. It helped me to see how I could pray about the circumstances going on and the people involved. When I prayed—with that clear and recent awareness of the Lord’s promises in mind—I slowly began to understand that He might actually be using these circumstances for His good purposes. Just knowing this began to give me hope about the possible outcomes. Even though I did not know how the Lord would work things out, I could pray about it and make myself available as the Lord’s ambassador in the midst of some very dark days.”
Friend, we don’t know how the Lord will be revealed in the coming days, but, here’s what we do know: He is the ultimate comfort in times of tragedy and loss. I pray that, wherever you are and whatever you are facing, the Lord will work through you as an ambassador of hope and encouragement!
For More Information
If you would like to support ISI staff, volunteers and students affected by the recent hurricanes, we have set up a special “Disaster Relief Fund” to help. Click here to go to our donation page, select “National Ministry Projects,” in the drop down, and then “Disaster Relief Fund” (Fund 5060) to support. Thank you!
Learn more about International Students, Inc. here.
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world,” Psalm 46:10 (NLT).
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT).
As the severe devastation from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria leave people homeless, the spread of fires along the West Coast grows, and the damage of 8.1 and 7.1 magnitude earthquakes in Mexico are assessed—all including the loss of precious lives—many of us are left feeling helpless. Whether watching from afar, or experiencing record-breaking flooding up-close and personal, or blazing flames in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and California, I pray for peace of mind for all those affected by these massive calamities. It’s more than heartbreaking to know that many of our brothers and sisters in these areas are facing incredible loss and hardship.
Let us all remember, though, that God is a God of comfort and restoration. Scripture tells us to give “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us,” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT). Friend, would you kindly take a moment out of your day today to pray for those affected directly and indirectly by these deadly hurricanes, raging fires and massive earthquake? Let us pray for comfort, strength and the power of the Lord to stir within the hearts of those affected.
I am reminded of a testimony one of our ministry friends shared with us a few years ago when she was experiencing a dark and uncertain time. Our friend, who happens to be from Texas, writes:
“I remember clearly a time when I found myself in a situation that, at the time, felt ‘hopeless.’ Circumstances did not seem like they could get any worse. I did not even know how to pray about it because it seemed so hopeless. Glumly, I went to my concordance and did a word-search for ‘hope.’ As it turns out, the Bible has a lot of hope in it! As I let the Spirit of God minister to my spirit, I began to get a glimpse of God’s perspective. It helped me to see how I could pray about the circumstances going on and the people involved. When I prayed—with that clear and recent awareness of the Lord’s promises in mind—I slowly began to understand that He might actually be using these circumstances for His good purposes. Just knowing this began to give me hope about the possible outcomes. Even though I did not know how the Lord would work things out, I could pray about it and make myself available as the Lord’s ambassador in the midst of some very dark days.”
Friend, we don’t know how the Lord will be revealed in the coming days, but, here’s what we do know: He is the ultimate comfort in times of tragedy and loss. I pray that, wherever you are and whatever you are facing, the Lord will work through you as an ambassador of hope and encouragement!
For More Information
If you would like to support ISI staff, volunteers and students affected by the recent hurricanes, we have set up a special “Disaster Relief Fund” to help. Click here to go to our donation page, select “National Ministry Projects,” in the drop down, and then “Disaster Relief Fund” (Fund 5060) to support. Thank you!
Learn more about International Students, Inc. here.
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