Enjoying a beautiful day in the midst of hot and dry summer can feel a world away from monsoon season in Pakistan.  This year’s season has been the worst in living memory, with 1,500 dead and 3 million affected.  These numbers on a page are people’s lives.  Each of the deaths mean fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and children all washed away.  The lost houses, crops and livestock are family’s lives and livelihoods disappearing.

It’s hard to picture this, let alone know how to help.  In addition to putting your money to good use at places like Tearfund and Red Cross, here are some suggestions of how you can be praying for our neighbours:

• Pray that the rain stops.  Jesus stopped the storm with a word (Matthew 8:23-27), He can stop the storm for these people.  Pray for dry weather to aid rescue efforts and to stop the destruction.
• Pray that the waters recede quickly.  At present there are concerns about swollen rivers flooding areas of Southern Pakistan.
• Thank God for the brave rescue crews who have saved 30,000 people and counting!
• Pray for clean water.  In situations like this, water-borne illness can be as destructive as the monsoon itself.
• Pray for healing for those who have lost family and friends.  Particularly for those who may have had to watch loved ones be swept away.
• Pray for Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his government that God would give them wisdom, strength and resources they need to save their people and help rebuild lives.
• Pray for political stability at this dangerous time.
  

Father, please still the storm, dry the ground and heal this land.  Show Your love and mercy to these suffering people.