Prayer for Japan and Libya

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lynda Keen on March 21, 2011 at 7:18pm

Thank you, Thomas.

Japan had a triple dose of trouble with the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant problems. Yes, we must pray for both dead and survivors. Recovery will be a long haul.

Having worked for many years in the Middle East & Africa, I'm heavily involved in spreading communication relating to the struggles for freedom & democracy on Twitter (my Twitter name is @forumeditor).

It is heartening to see how many people tweet to thank God or ask for His help.

Last Friday, at Benghazi's darkest hour when Gaddafi had threatened to annihilate the city and the UN hadn't yet decided to help, we shared a worldwide campaign to "pray for Libya", with the aim of getting 1 million people to pray for Libya that evening. It felt very powerful.

Yesterday, when a journalist who had set up a Free Libya newscasting service was shot by a sniper, the prayers for him reached well over a million. Very beautiful to see.

Permalink Reply by Lynda Keen on March 21, 2011 at 7:22pm

Only 2 clergymen spoke out against Mubarak's violence against Egyptians - the Coptic Pope and Rev Nadim Nasser from Holy Trinity Church, Kensington.

Only one clergyman has spoken out against Gaddafi's violence against Libyans - Bishop Desmond Tutu.

Sad to see such lack of moral integrity in the church worldwide.

Permalink Reply by Thomas Kirchhoff on March 22, 2011 at 2:33pm

Hi Lynda, thank you for your comments. Yes, it's all terrible. I am very worried. Fear fills my heart.
On 23 January, I preached in the Bochum St. John's Church. I asked the faithful to pray for the Coptic Christians.
Of course, we pray for all victims of terrible disasters.

Last Sunday was the St. Vincent's Church in Bochum, a service for Japan.

Permalink Reply by Thomas Kirchhoff on March 22, 2011 at 3:39pm

A prayer that gives many people comfort comes from the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer also worked several years as a pastor in London. I found the translation on the page of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD).


By gracious powers so wonderfully sheltered,


and confidently waiting come what may,


we know that God is with us night and morning,


and never fails to greet us each new day.

Yet is this heart by its old foe tormented,


still evil days bring burdens hard to bear;


Oh, give our frightened souls the sure salvation


for which, O Lord, You taught us to prepare.

And when this cup You give is filled to brimming


with bitter suffering, hard to understand,


we take it thankfully and without trembling,


out of so good and so beloved a hand.

Yet when again in this same world You give us


the joy we had,the brightness of Your Sun,


we shall remember all the days we lived through,


and our whole life shall then be Yours alone.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Translation: F. Pratt Green