Beloved siblings in Christ,

The Earth has once again trembled. Recent earthquakes have struck Indonesia, shaking homes, displacing families, and leaving communities in fear, grief, and uncertainty. As the Earth continues to shift, our siblings in Christ face the long, difficult road of recovery.

As a communion, we hold in prayer all those displaced, injured, lost, and grieving in the wake of this tragedy. We join together in prayer with our member churches in this region. May they be reminded of God’s presence with them now and in the days to come. 

A Prayer for Indonesia

God of comfort and care,

You hold in your hand all of creation. You are the strong foundation that cannot be shaken. Yet we confess that the Earth aches, and so we cry out to you.

We raise to you our sisters and brothers in Indonesia. Those who have lost homes and livelihoods. Those who have lost loved ones and neighbours. Those who lie injured or trapped. Those who are afraid, wondering when the next tremor will come. Those who still search in the rubble. Those who are overwhelmed by what their next step should be. And especially those who feel far from you in their heartbreak.

Be their refuge and strength, an ever-present help in the midst of this tragedy. 

We pray especially for our WCRC member churches and all our partner churches throughout the region. Strengthen their hands as they minister amid chaos. Give them wisdom to comfort the grieving, feed the hungry, and shelter the displaced. Use them as instruments of your healing and hope.

Where there is despair, let them bring hope. Where there is scarcity, let them share abundance. Where there is isolation, let them offer the communion of saints.

God of all mercy, we do not pray that the Earth would never tremble, for we know that this world is still in labour. But we pray that your people would not tremble alone. Unite us across borders and languages, that we might be one body in Christ, responding to suffering with the love you have first shown us.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, who is with us amongst the rubble.

Amen.