30 day Prayer Vigil for the victims of the Tsunami in Southeast Asia

We all heard about the horrible catastrophe yesterday where One Hundred and Twenty Thousand plus people were killed by the Tsunami in Southeast Asia. The horror of it really hit me today as I read the paper containing heartbreaking stories from some of the survivors.

With a large number of children as the victims and being a parent myself I cannot imagine the pain and profound sorrow of a parent finding the body of their child. It makes me want to go home and hug my kids right now. My heart goes out to all of the people affected by this tragedy.

In a time like this there are no “good” explanations. There are no adequate theological statements that we will be able to understand. There is no way for an earthly mind to comprehend an acceptable reason for a tragedy like this but as I thought about what happened the shortest verse in the Bible came to my mind. John 13:5 says, “Jesus Wept”. Even though Jesus knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the tomb He took the time to grieve with his family and friends over their lost loved one. Today I believe that God is weeping again. Have comfort in knowing that God is with you.

All of the sons and daughters of the world join together in our sorrow and pray. Pray and weep for all of those touched by this horrific event. My family and I will pray the following prayer for the next 30 days and I ask for you to join me in this prayer vigil. This is my prayer:

"In the mixt of tragedy I pray for all of the family and friends of the people who lost their lives in this tragedy too horrific to comprehend. May God somehow ease your pain and may you find comfort and shelter in His love for you. May your broken hearts heal over time and the pain of your loss be lessened by knowing that not only all of mankind but that even God weeps with you."

Please join me and my family in praying for all of those touched by this horrific event and post your prayer below. Join me in this prayer vigil for the next 30 days by praying your prayer at least once a day.

Please post your prayer below in hopes of it somehow easing someone's pain.

This is a wonderful tribute. I would hope that even those of us who do not pray to a god will spend the time to focus positive energy and any extra funds toward those ravaged by this natural disaster.

We each do what we can. Instead of sitting and praying, I'll be packing up boxes of old clothing, shoes and anything else that might be helpful to the survivors.

I will do the same as Juro. I do not pray but the families who have endured such a horrible tragedy will be in my thoughts. I will do whatever I can to help.

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What Paris said - they will be in my thoughts and I will do what I can to help via donation to the Red Cross.

I won't be in world until very late, so I wanted to post a JPG poster that I was working on for my own lot. You can use the image to create a billboard or poster on your land. I would recommend that you add a notecard-giver script, and insert support-related info and links into the notecard.

It's a nice gesture, but I'm sure the millions of newly-homeless asians would love you a lot more if you went on a 30-day fund-raiser.

^^^ See above.

Also, I just read that Lisbon was the victim of a major Tsunami in 1755. 60,000 lost...Had no idea.

Yup, it is said that it was the largest earthquake in recorded history, but I think it's a myth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1755_Lisbon_earthquake

Oh, and I just received this list of relief agencies (in addition to Red Cross/Red Crescent) from Sojourners. Rest assured, I will be praying, as well.

As we join in prayer and concern for the millions affected by the earthquakes and tidal waves in South Asia, we offer this list of trusted humanitarian organziations that are responding to the crisis. (This list is by no means complete or exhaustive of all worthy organizations.)


+ Catholic Relief Service


+ Christian Aid


+ Church World Service


+ International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies


+ Lutheran World Relief


+ Mercy Corps


+ World Relief


+ World Vision

Since Paolo listed some charities, I'd like to make a quick note that you should research your charity.

Smartmoney.com's Non-Profit performance review

Some charities are managed much better than others and are able to devote more of each dollar you give toward relief, while others are less able to do so due to various factors.

Give wisely!

Where the heck is Bhodi when we need her...

Juro I was going to say the same thing. Great resource. Thank you!

I would just say this: Do your homework, but don't get stuck in analysis paralysis. The agencies listed above are quite reputable, and I am sure there are many other worthy recipients. My fear is that a lot of ppl will not give, at all, if they feel they have to go to great lengths to research each charity.

Generally speaking, well-managed charities spend less than 30% of their revenues on administrative budgetary items.

I have updated my original post to reflect the new horrifying number of "Seventy Seven Thousand plus" victums so far. I fear that this number will continue to rise in the days to come.

I really wish there was more I could do besides donating what I can to charities.

People in the tsunami affected regions won't have clean food and water and it is expected that the total number of casualties will double from disease from sources such as infected water. We are incredibly fortunate to be able to turn on a faucet today and get clean water in a second while people in southern Asia no longer have water that hasn't been contaminated.

I am simply blown away after reading this thread in it's entirety.

I understand where you're coming from. However, as a rep from Mercy Corps (I believe, anyway) said on NPR's The World, the other day, cash donations are the very best way to aid those affected by the tsunami. Most of the aid is being airlifted into the affected regions, which is a very expensive operation. Once things have stabilized a bit, I'm sure NGO's would appreciate more interactive assistance from those able to provide it.

I'm not trying to be mean spirited but many of us have already donated financial support to the relief funds of our choosing. There are a couple of threads with lists of organizations and in-world fundraising events, so swinging into a thread and shooting the air out of someones sails for reminding people to remember this tragic occurance is a bit shitty. I am sure that Billy was not saying "Don't give money peeps, just say a prayer and the great God of natural disaster relief will take care of the rest"

Many of us volunteer all year at homeless shelters and realize that the problems do not end when the situation is no longer newsworthy. I see the families smiling as they serve food on Christmas eve. I do not belittle them for not being there on June 12th. People give what they can and if a prayer or a bit of positive energy is what one can afford then that is just as good as another man's millions.

It will be years before those ravaged by this tragedy have any semblance of normalcy in their lives. And for those who lost loved ones, the effects will be life long in duration. I hope those of you denouncing a positive energy/prayer vigil are still supporting the cause a year from now even if it is just in the act of remembering the loss and showing compassion to the less fortunate among us.

Anyhow, I stand by my first post in saying that this is a wonderful sentiment. Give what you can even if the only thing you can afford is a prayer.

Point taken, Isis.

Although prayer can move mountains, it is my view that, in a case like this, it must be backed by tangible actions. By reminding folks to give financial support, I am hoping to give those "others" who have not made a donation a swift kick in the butt to donate. This is probably the most massive relief effort in recent decades, and I don't think any of us can rightfully sit back and do nothing when most of us have the means to give $10, $25 or more.

I heatily agree. I am only stating that there are threads for that purpose. The initial naysayers in this thread, it seems, did so out of malice and discounted the fact that some may have already donated or are unable to at this time. Not to mention that they discounted the power of positive energy and remembering the tragedy (knowing that it could happen to one of us at any time and insuch we should all remember the plight of others across the globe everyday). Some do need a swift kick, but those people need a swift kick in regards to alot of things they could and should be doing to help mankind. I just feel it is unecessary to boohoo the vigil for the sake of donations when both acts can work in accord with one another.

Ahh, I think I may have misunderstood your previous post. I completely agree -- the vigil is a wonderful idea and I think it -- along with tangible support -- will make a world of difference. Sorry for being a dolt and not getting your initial point.

The toll is now 117,000 and I have updated my original post to reflect it.

Yes, you are correct Isis and TY for your kind words. There are several threads already afloat about worthy ways to donate your money. My intention was to start a thread that will give people the idea to give of yourself spiritually too and pray pray pray. No disrespect to you Paolo because I think your efforts are certainly worthy but a thread about where to donate your money was not the intention here. I have not commented on your posts because I thought they might help someone but Isis is correct in what the spirit of this thread is.

This is not a place to debate the existence of God but a place for you to post your prayer. I referenced Jesus because I am a Christian but I welcome anyone to post a prayer and maybe for all religion to unite in solemn prayer for our fellow human beings that are suffering so much.

I also welcome you to send positive thoughts or whatever your way might be if you are not a religious person. Let us all join together spiritually. Many of us, myself included, believe that prayer matters and can make a difference. Even if you are not a "believer" you may find the act of prayer in a selfless manor like this to give you a spiritual experience that you have never had before.

Bottom line, if prayer indeed helps then this will not be in vain if not, what harm can it be. Paolo and others, I would be thrilled if you would post a prayer in addition to what you are already doing. Even if you do not believe in a God how about joining me and praying, meditating or whatever you want to call it in hopes that it will somehow help.

120,000 now... What a truly horrible thing