Christian Photographers Community

We've all heard of the terrible devastation this week in Japan.  Let's all pray for the people over there.

We have Kevin (mybcjazz), a member of our site who lives there and I'm sure that he will keep us all informed as often as he can about the conditions over there.  

Today, Kevin posted on Facebook the following:

‎1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46

Thank you for praying.  Midori and I, and our eldest (Bellamy) and his wife (Shuko) live some 700 miles from the affected area.  However, our daughter-in-law's family is nearer to the disaster.  In particular, our daughter-in-law's elder sister, Yuiko, a nurse, lives in Sendai, a city hard hit, and still without power.

The government started instituting rolling power blackouts this morning that will have an effect in the area around the areas that were damaged.  This is partially due to the damaged nuclear facilities.  The blackouts will occur in Tokyo, too.  If they continue for a considerable time, one can only imaging the negative consequences on Japan's entire economy.

As you've seen in the news, the death toll could reach 10,000.  I'm guessing it'll go higher, as entire towns have disappeared, having been washed away by the tsunami (tidal wave).

You can pray for the immediate relief of those displaced.  It is approximately 400,000 people who are living in gymnasiums and anywhere else they can find.  They basically have the clothes on their backs.  The government is working hard to provide them with food, water, and blankets, but that's about it for now.

You can pray that the nuclear power plants will once again be under the control of capable engineers.  At this time no one knows how out of control the damaged facilities are.

You can pray that there will be no further quakes. Enough said.

You can pray for the government of Japan.  I won't elaborate, but they are scrambling to do all they can, it seems.  Yet it was a government that was barely hanging on to power when the disaster hit this island nation.

You can pray that Japan will be reached for Christ.

I would encourage all of you to read and re-read Psalm 46 in its entirety.

Thank you.

IN HIS GRIP,
Kevin and Midori, Bellamy and Shuko

Thanks Kevin for the detailed Prayer List!


Here's Psalm 46 for all to read:

Psalm 46 (New King James Version)

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
        A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
        Even though the earth be removed,
        And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
        Though the mountains shake with its swelling.  Selah  
       
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
        The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
        God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
        He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
       
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
        The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah  
       
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
        Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
        He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
        He burns the chariot in the fire.
       
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
        I will be exalted among the nations,
        I will be exalted in the earth!
       
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
        The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah  

Praying Kevin.

We're praying for God's intervention in this disaster, and that people will cry out to God for the real answer to life - - - Salvation through Faith in The Lord Jesus Christ alone!

Psalm 46 sums it all up for Japan and other countries that were hit by natural disaster. It is beyond our control but nothing can stop us from praying.

   "Dear God, I pray for the people of Japan, Christians and Non-Christians alike. Please help them cope and learn from what they are going through. Please bring peace and calm to the country and help them rebuild as you did in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They are good and peace-loving people. Please do not forsake them. May the grief that the earthquake and the tsunami caused Japan, bring its citizens in unity in faith, in prayers and in reaching out to You.

   I also pray for all those who are helping Japan and other desperate countries that You continue to bless them with power and the special capabilities needed to become your Angels, doing your heavenly deeds."

In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Mario Dimain
photographer for Christ

Our Father who is in heaven and earth. Pray that you will hear the voices of your people. That you will hear and the angels will go forth and be set round about the people of Japan, that speedy will be their recovery. To give them peace & comfort, to show them your mercies, wisdom & knowledge, guidance in what they must do. that they will call upon the name of Jesus & Our Lord God & Father & give you glory that they be strong & strengthened. That they remember-Stronger is he that is in me than he thats in the world. May they draw strength from knowing you. For you are a good & merciful kind God. Give you praise, glory and thanks in the name of Jesus-the name above all other names....Amen

I also pray for all those of us and any, who has seen the terrifying events, but are not able to be there to show our hand of love-that our voices will be our hand of love- that we also be comforted knowing that God hears us.  Praying is our strongest source that we are able to do to help. God Bless you all!

Praying this morning.

I, too, am praying here ... and I say a strong AMEN to the prayers posted above.

Kevin, what a beautiful and fitting Scripture!  Thanks for causing us to look toward the One Who has the answers and less to the damage,horrible as it is.

I pray that more survivors will be found; more families reunited, as well as for the basic need of those displaced by these awful events.

Thank you One, and All!

Kevin, what are you hearing about the city where your son's in-laws are from and what are you hearing over there about the reactors?

Such devastation! 

Quote from: Pat on March 15, 2011, 01:30:07 AM
Kevin, what are you hearing about the city where your son's in-laws are from and what are you hearing over there about the reactors?

Such devastation!  

Pat,

Thanks for your continued prayer.  I hear a lot from TV about the disaster and the damaged nuclear reactor.  But I take what the news says with more than a grain of salt.  They tend to magnify the awful stuff and minimize the good.  Sound familiar?  Just like the news agencies in the US!

It's a damaged facility they are trying to shut down. The explosions were not unexpected, but not catastrophic, and soon contained.

Today, I began praying for God to bring stability to each of the 4 towers at the facility.  I have also decided NOT to concern myself with news reports, but rather use my energy to pray continuously.  I must believe that God will intervene!

And I only have two sons and no sons-in-law.  My daughter-in-law's sister may be who you were thinking of...she is well and now has electricity.

The list above is still the best guideline I can recommend for how to pray.

Even more firmly in His Grip,
kevin

Thank you Kevin for the update.  Here they keep playing and replaying the video clips causing such unbelievable stress.  I too have stopped watching the news.

I will continue to pray specifically for you and the folks in Japan. 

Thanks Kevin.   I appreciate your reply.  We're continuing to pray in our home here.




PS  I said "son's    in-laws"  meaning your son's mother-in-law and any of the other family members.  Sorry for not being clearer. 

Continuing to pray here in Northern Ontario.  The reactor news is not good in any way.  I pray that the wind continues to blow toward the ocean.  

Kevin please keep us updated on what is happening.  Also do you have people coming to your area to get away from the east coast?  Also how are you managing with food, water, heat and electricity.

In Him
Judy

The evacuation area is 30 kilometers.  We are 700 kilometers or more away.  No one is evacuating this far away.  Our lives haven't been effected in anyway as far as goods and services.  We are going about life just as we did before, except that we are praying more.

I also say amen tot he above prayers and letting you know Kevin that I am also praying here in Oregon, I have been praying since the beginning for the people of Japan.

The news of Japan continues to worsen but it's causing me to pray more and more about the people of Japan.

We must "Be still".

Be still, and know that I am God;
         I will be exalted among the nations,
         I will be exalted in the earth!
         
The LORD of hosts is with us;
         The God of Jacob is our refuge.

My question is:  Why are the people of this great country NOT responding to the great needs in Japan enough to even start to compare with the response when the Haiti earthquake happened?  And Japan is our friend and ally........

Thank you, Pat for your continued prayer.  The news here, though, is getting MUCH better.

More than enought food and supplies are reaching the displaced.  The cold weather is easing up today.  Power lines have reached the damaged nuclear facility.

There is still much, much work to do.  There are still over 350,000 displaced.  But things are getting better and it has a lot to do with the prayers of God's people.

This is a good article about the Japanese people.

http://goo.gl/WBo48

It is interesting to have your first hand report, and compare it to the news we are getting here.  We get all doom and gloom, with radiation fallout in the west coast of the USA and Canada.  Thank you for the continued updates.

I am continuing to pray for you , your ministry and for the men dealing with the reactors.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for praying continually for Japan.

Today, as they did last night, the Japanese military sprayed tons of water onto and into one of the nuclear reactor towers.  There has been a reduction in measurable radiation in the area around the facility.  In some other good news, power lines construction is just about done and within the next day or so, electricity should be restored to the power plant.  This will in effect allow new pumps to cool the reactor towers in a normal and consistent fashion.

Some figures announced today that are good.  Japanese military and police have, to date, rescued over 26,000 people!  Also, blanket, food, water and fuel are reaching more and more of the refugee areas, as roads are getting cleared and vehicles are getting through.  Helicopters are also being used.

The U.S. military stationed here is busy helping in various ways, too.

Continue to pray specifically for all the needs mentioned at the top of this thread. If any are interested in contributing financially to churches affected, I have some Japan Assemblies of God bank account transfer information.  Please send me a PM if you are led that way.

Again, thank you SO much!

Thank you for the information sbout donating to your organization Kevin.  I was wondering about that.  If you email me the info I will pass it onto our Pastor and the membership could feel free to donate to that work.

So good to hear, Kevin! The news media surely exaggerates. Continuing steadfast prayers for Japan & all. Thanks & praise to God, !

Thank you, Kevin, for the continued updates.

Hey Kev..
So glad to know you are ok. Have been praying since the incident and I hope you don't mind, but I shared your letter on FB with my friends. They need to hear from those who are there to understand the severity fo the issue...

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This morning this was on Kevin's FB. 

QuoteThe lights just came on at Tower 3, Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.

Our senior pastor is heading to Iwaki, Fukushima, which is near the damaged nuclear facility.  One of our churches is near there and he's heading there to bring relief.  He'll be there for 3 days.  Thanks for prayin'!  His name is Hiroshi Horikawa.

Praying here in NC.