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Ted Vail
Ted Vail, director of Foursquare Missions International

Even the smallest fragment of light can be seen in the dark.

Victims of natural disasters can feel as though the lights have gone out. Shocked and disoriented, they stumble in the “dark,” searching for some sense of normalcy and anything that feels familiar.

Disasters do not discriminate between race, class or age, and crisis can upset a person’s values and sense of meaning, raising issues of purpose and faith.

What an opportunity we have as God’s light in the world to bring a message of hope into dark places (Matt. 5:16). One of God’s greatest gifts is the perspective we have as believers in the face of suffering. Every tragedy is an opportunity for God to be glorified.

Amid numerous disasters, let’s not let our hearts be hardened. Let’s pray that in the darkness, light would shine, and that in hopeless tragedy, the God of all hope would be known.

This Week’s Prayer Focus [5 in 5]

Personal Prayer

1. Pray God would protect your community from disaster, and intercede on behalf of those experiencing a disaster.
2. Ask the Lord how you can prepare your congregation to support the community in times of disaster.
3. Pray for first responders in your community, and give respect and support to those who serve.

Foursquare Focus

4. Lift up all the kids and teens ministered to by NextGen in local churches, and that leaders and teams would be filled with the Holy Spirit as they minister.
5. Continue to pray for Foursquare Disaster Relief as they assist people affected by disasters such as Hurricane Florence and Typhoon Manghkut.

Share your thoughts. See comments below, and add your own.

is the senior vice president of global operations for The Foursquare Church.
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