The heavy rainfall and flooding in Henan Province had affected about 1.36 million people, resulting in 73 deaths by 12:00 am July 28, according to the national natural disaster management system. Fortunately, the breach of Weihe River was finally fixed at 2:27 a.m. on the 26th.
Eventually, the floods will pass and the rescue will be over, but the damage caused by this disaster to our compatriots in Henan will take a longer period of time to heal. The damage in this disaster not only includes damage to properties, such as houses, vehicles, and other materials but also spiritual traumas caused by the loss of loved ones and the panic after the narrow escape. For Christians elsewhere, besides helping in every way we can, we also need to eagerly pray for our compatriots.
Pray that the Lord would be gracious to the churches in Henan Province and that brothers and sisters would be more involved in the work of post-disaster reconstruction.
Although the floods have caused damage to the churches in Henan, as God's children, we should overcome our weaknesses as soon as possible so that we can be more involved in the work of post-disaster reconstruction by the grace of the Lord. First, let's pray for the Christians in Henan, and plead the Lord to be gracious to every child of His and warm their hearts with His great love. Pray that our brothers and sisters in the churches of Henan have the heart of Christ and give loving help when they see the needs of their compatriots and do more work than gossip so that the beautiful image of Jesus Christ can be shown through their ministry.
Pray that the Lord would be gracious to the provincial, municipal, county and township governments in Henan, that they would be full of wisdom and govern properly.
The post-disaster reconstruction needs to gather people's hearts, build up strength, and be fully prepared to fight long-lastingly. As the floodwaters recede, all kinds of cleanup work and disinfection work must be done in time, and these works require many human, material, and financial resources. The government needs to take the lead in the post-disaster reconstruction. Therefore, Christians need to earnestly pray for those in power on these matters.
Pray that the Lord would be gracious to Henan's economic reconstruction, letting the hard-hit businesses, factories, and stores recover as soon as possible.
The post-disaster reconstruction work will of course include economic reconstruction. As a result of the flooding, many businesses, factories, and stores are affected to various extents. Perhaps, many people may have lost their jobs, and private business owners may have lost a lot of money. Pray that those vulnerable businesses, factories, stores, small workshops, and other self-employed people will survive the harsh environment and be able to revive themselves in the near future.
Pray for the Lord to raise up more evangelists and psychotherapists.
We ask the Lord to raise up more evangelists in the post-disaster reconstruction to bring His love to people in grief and fear. There are times when preaching the gospel alone is not enough; pastoral counseling is also needed for certain people. They may be mentally broken down because of the loss of loved ones. And some people may go into a trance, fantasizing that their loved ones did not pass away and often seeing them when they dream. In other words, we need not only be there for them but also listen patiently and point out the crux of their problems appropriately. Necessarily, we also need to lead them to God, helping them emerge from their problems through prayer.
- Translated by Elle Wang
截止到7月28日12时，据国家自然灾害灾情管理系统统计，河南省强降雨洪涝灾害造成约136万人受灾，因灾遇难73人。卫河的决口终于在26日的凌晨2时27分被成功合拢。
洪灾终将过去，救援也会结束，但这次的灾害对河南同胞造成的伤害恐怕需要一个较长的时期才能逐渐愈合。伤害，不仅包括了洪水对同胞们的房屋、车辆及其他物资所造成的损害，更是指痛失亲人以及那种死里逃生的恐慌给人带来的心灵上的伤害。对于各地的基督徒来说，除了提供力所能及的帮助外，更需要为我们的同胞祈祷。
求主特别施恩看顾河南的教会，使弟兄姊妹们能多多参与灾后的重建工作
这次的洪灾虽然也对河南的教会造成一定程度的损伤，但作为上帝的儿女，我们应当尽快从软弱中走出来，使我们能靠着主的恩典去多多参与灾后的重建工作。
我们首先要为河南的基督徒祷告，求主恩待他的每个儿女，用他的大爱温暖他们的心灵。求主让河南教会的弟兄姊妹们都以基督的心为心，看到同胞们的需要以后，会尽力给予爱的帮助，多做实事、少说闲话，将耶稣基督的美好形象借着他们实实在在的服侍能淋漓尽致地展现出来。
求主特别恩待河南的省市县镇各级政府，使他们充满智慧，治理有方
灾后重建需要凝聚更多的人心，积蓄更大的力量，充分做好打一场持久战的准备。随着洪水的消退，各样的清理工作、消毒工作必须及时更进，问题是，这些工作需要投入大量的人力物力财力。
灾后的重建工作必须由政府牵头，基督徒们也需要在这件事上切切地为执政掌权者们祷告。
求主恩待河南的经济建设，让遭受重创的企业、工厂、店铺等能早日恢复元气
灾后的重建工作自然也将包括经济方面的重建。因着涝灾的侵袭，想必不少企业、工厂、商铺等也受到了不同程度的影响。也许，不少人已经处于失业的状态，作为民营企业主更有可能已经损失惨重。
求主使快要支撑不下去的企业、工厂、商铺、小作坊及其他个体户能在恶劣的环境中生存下来，能在不久的将来重新振作。
求主兴起更多的福音使者及更多的心理治疗师
我们要求主在灾后的重建中能兴起更多的福音使者，使他们将主耶稣的爱带给处在各样悲痛与恐慌中的人们。
当然，有的时候，光传福音还是不够的，还需要对个别的人进行教牧方面的心理辅导。他们的问题有可能是因为失去至亲而导致精神崩溃、神情恍惚。比如，有的人仍然还幻想着亲人没有离开，在做梦的时候经常会见到他们。也就是说，我们不仅需要陪伴他们，耐心地聆听，适当地指出他们问题的症结所在。必要的时候也需要带领他们去向上帝祷告，借着祷告走出困境。
为河南同胞的灾后恢复及重建工作祷告
The heavy rainfall and flooding in Henan Province had affected about 1.36 million people, resulting in 73 deaths by 12:00 am July 28, according to the national natural disaster management system. Fortunately, the breach of Weihe River was finally fixed at 2:27 a.m. on the 26th.
Eventually, the floods will pass and the rescue will be over, but the damage caused by this disaster to our compatriots in Henan will take a longer period of time to heal. The damage in this disaster not only includes damage to properties, such as houses, vehicles, and other materials but also spiritual traumas caused by the loss of loved ones and the panic after the narrow escape. For Christians elsewhere, besides helping in every way we can, we also need to eagerly pray for our compatriots.
Pray that the Lord would be gracious to the churches in Henan Province and that brothers and sisters would be more involved in the work of post-disaster reconstruction.
Although the floods have caused damage to the churches in Henan, as God's children, we should overcome our weaknesses as soon as possible so that we can be more involved in the work of post-disaster reconstruction by the grace of the Lord. First, let's pray for the Christians in Henan, and plead the Lord to be gracious to every child of His and warm their hearts with His great love. Pray that our brothers and sisters in the churches of Henan have the heart of Christ and give loving help when they see the needs of their compatriots and do more work than gossip so that the beautiful image of Jesus Christ can be shown through their ministry.
Pray that the Lord would be gracious to the provincial, municipal, county and township governments in Henan, that they would be full of wisdom and govern properly.
The post-disaster reconstruction needs to gather people's hearts, build up strength, and be fully prepared to fight long-lastingly. As the floodwaters recede, all kinds of cleanup work and disinfection work must be done in time, and these works require many human, material, and financial resources. The government needs to take the lead in the post-disaster reconstruction. Therefore, Christians need to earnestly pray for those in power on these matters.
Pray that the Lord would be gracious to Henan's economic reconstruction, letting the hard-hit businesses, factories, and stores recover as soon as possible.
The post-disaster reconstruction work will of course include economic reconstruction. As a result of the flooding, many businesses, factories, and stores are affected to various extents. Perhaps, many people may have lost their jobs, and private business owners may have lost a lot of money. Pray that those vulnerable businesses, factories, stores, small workshops, and other self-employed people will survive the harsh environment and be able to revive themselves in the near future.
Pray for the Lord to raise up more evangelists and psychotherapists.
We ask the Lord to raise up more evangelists in the post-disaster reconstruction to bring His love to people in grief and fear. There are times when preaching the gospel alone is not enough; pastoral counseling is also needed for certain people. They may be mentally broken down because of the loss of loved ones. And some people may go into a trance, fantasizing that their loved ones did not pass away and often seeing them when they dream. In other words, we need not only be there for them but also listen patiently and point out the crux of their problems appropriately. Necessarily, we also need to lead them to God, helping them emerge from their problems through prayer.
- Translated by Elle Wang
Prayer for Post-Disaster Recovery, Reconstruction in Henan Province
