Read & Weep: A Cry for Burma, an article by Adri Roos

Published: May 21st, 2008

More than two weeks after Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, millions of people remain without sufficient food, water, shelter, medication or the means of escape from flooded regions. Up to one hundred thousand people have died, 2.5 million people have been affected, and more than a million left homeless.

The founder of World Vision famously prayed that his heart would be broken by the things which break Gods heart. Well, God's heart is surely broken for Burma right now. If, like me, your heart is a bit hard to statistics like these and you don't know how to pray for Burma, then look at the pictures linked from below. And then please pray and let's give our all, from the very broken heart of God.

A friend of 24-7, Rachel Bentley, Director of Children On the Edge writes with an urgent appeal for prayer and aid for Burma:

Dear 24-7 ,

This is a full-on update about the crisis in Burma, where we are trying to help right now. I promise I won't do this too often. As you pray, I'd like to share with you images from Burma. You will find these images at the end of this article. I have to say that there are much more graphic images than what you'll see here, but for those who are praying into this situation, these pictures will give you more insight. I easily could have included picture after picture dead and naked bodies- the dead are everywhere.  But in the interest of mobilising people to pray and not offend the sensibility of some, we have held them out. 

Thanks for taking interest in and praying for this terrible situation.

Rachel

As a global prayer movement we should firstly respond in prayer. Use the following prayer points and pray for Burma now: 

• Pray for all those affected by the cyclone, particularly those who have been bereaved, lost family and those who been left homeless.

• Pray for the relief effort. Pray that the resources and supplies would reach people in time.

• Pray for lasting transformation and the spread of the gospel.

• Pray that the military government of Myanmar will respond effectively to the crisis and show greater willingness to allow international help into the country.

• Pray for local churches as they deal with the emotional trauma involved in their relief work.
  

Secondly we can contribute financially. Visit Children on the Edge's Donation Page  to see how you can give.

Finally, we can inform ourselves about this situation to understand it better. Greater understanding will enhance our prayers and giving.  I suggest this article from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University to get started.

 

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All photos are courtesy of Children On the Edge

 

 

 

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