Peace, Be Still!

A few weeks ago, we prayed together for those affected by the earthquake in Colombia. Today, the catastrophic flash floods triggered by a glacier collapse along the Nepal–Tibet border have shocked the world. Homes, bridges, and roads have been swept away; many families are grieving the loss of their loved ones, while the search for those still missing continues.

We are not called to pronounce this tragedy as God’s punishment. The Bible does not offer simple explanations for every disaster. Instead, it tells us that “the whole creation groans and labours with birth pangs together” (Romans 8:22).

Therefore, in moments like these, our first response must be not explanation, but compassion; not judgement, but prayer.

JESUS IN THE BOAT

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling… And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”

— Mark 4:37–39

Jesus did not watch the storm from a distant shore. He was in the very same boat that was being tossed by the waves, alongside His frightened disciples.

The disciples had not forgotten that Jesus was in the boat. However, in the middle of the storm, they began to doubt whether He truly cared for them:

“Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Jesus’ sleep was not a sign of indifference; it was a sign that He was unafraid. The disciples saw the power of the storm, but they had not yet fully understood the power of the One who was with them.

In this incident, Jesus calmed the storm. However, the Christian faith does not promise that every storm in our lives will immediately cease. Sometimes He calms the storm; at other times, He carries His people through it.

Yet, in both circumstances, one truth remains unchanged:

He is with us. We are not forgotten, and we are not alone.

LET US STAND WITH THEM

The people suffering in Nepal and Tibet need more than our explanations at this moment. They need our prayers, our compassion, and our practical support.

“Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.”

— Acts 11:29

There was a great distance between the church in Antioch and the believers in Judea, but that distance did not prevent them from showing love. Likewise, although Nepal and Tibet may be far from us geographically, those affected by this disaster are not strangers to us. They are our neighbours, and the believers among them are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let us not merely watch the news from a distance. Let us stand with them through prayer, compassion, and every form of practical assistance available to us.

PRAYER POINTS

• Pray that God will comfort the families of those who have lost their lives.
• Pray that those still missing will be found and that the rescue teams will be protected.
• Pray that displaced families will receive shelter, food, clean water, and medical assistance.
• Pray that the churches and believers in the affected areas will remain steadfast in faith and hope.
• Pray for wisdom to know how our church can contribute to the relief efforts.
• Pray that anyone among us who has relatives in Nepal or Tibet will not have to carry this burden alone.

FINAL PRAYER

Worship Song

ANNOUNCEMENTS