Gracious Heavenly Father,

Move our hearts and minds to the families in Haiti today.

Lead us in this prayer for the needs of these people.

It is hard to know what to say and pray in the face of this devastation.

We plead with you Lord Jesus to look mercifully upon these children.
In the 60 seconds of this quake so much has been lost- loved ones, entire families, homes, whole communities, food, water, power, businesses, schools, hospitals, governments, transport.

Comfort each survivor in their grief and shock,

give discernment to the able-bodied to reach the most vulnerable and injured,

mobilise international aid teams to work together for the basic requirements of this community.

Lord, we pray for heavy machinery and modern technology to lift the debris and find people trapped inside the collapsed buildings.

We ask that streets would be cleared to give access for the necessary supplies.

We ask for shelters for the survivors, food, water and treatment centres.

We pray for teams of people who can clear the hanging wires and give dignity to the thousands of dead.

Heavenly Father, minimise the spread of disease and sickness in this recovery.

Watch over each person who enters into this pain, protect their spirit from despair.

Lord, for a people who have known continual pain, bring hope and healing in this recovery effort.

Shine your light into this darkness, pour out your love into the lives of these little ones. Give us the will to make a difference in this situation.

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Amen.

(Sarah Plummer, Director of Prayer Ministries, World Vision International)