Weekly Prayer Update
Friday, July 10, 2026
Wildfires Impact the United States and Canada
Across North America, firefighters are battling dozens of large wildfires amid hot, dry, and windy conditions. In the United States, firefighting resources are under significant strain as multiple regions compete for personnel, aircraft, and equipment. More than 37,500 wildfires have burned over 3.3 million acres in the U.S. so far this year, with the most significant fire activity concentrated across the Great Basin, Rocky Mountain, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska geographic areas. North of the border, Canada is also responding to numerous active wildfires, particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories, contributing to smoke impacts and a challenging wildfire season across the continent.
One of those fires, the Chelan Hills Fire in Washington, USA, has devastated parts of Douglas County, destroying homes, forcing evacuations, and leaving many residents without power or running water. Even as the full extent of the damage continues to emerge, local Nazarene congregations are already responding. Chelan Church of the Nazarene has opened its campus as a relief distribution center, partnering with neighboring organizations to provide essentials such as food, water, Crisis Care Kits, and gift cards to displaced families. The church is also offering showers, a place for people to rest, and a safe space for children to play while their families receive assistance. Volunteers continue to meet emerging needs as they arise, ensuring that anyone affected can receive help without barriers.
Lord, we pray for the communities that sit dangerously close to the many wildfires that are burning across North America this week. As local pastors continue assessing growing needs, may your Spirit direct responses that best uplift and support the most impacted people. We lift up all who have lost homes or loved ones. May your comfort and hope be evident in the midst of heartbreaking loss. Lord, hear our prayers.
Venezuela Earthquake Response Continues
On June 24, two powerful earthquakes struck north-central Venezuela, triggering widespread destruction across the country's central and coastal regions. Hundreds of aftershocks followed, leaving at least 4,490 people dead and 16,740 injured. More than 2,500 infrastructure assets, including 38 hospitals, were damaged, disrupting healthcare, water systems, transportation, and other essential services. Thousands of families have been displaced and are sheltering in schools, sports centers, temporary settlements, and open spaces after homes were destroyed or deemed unsafe.
The earthquakes struck a country already facing significant humanitarian challenges, worsening existing vulnerabilities and stretching response efforts. While emergency teams have focused on search and rescue, medical care, and rapid assessments, urgent needs remain for safe shelter, relief supplies, healthcare, mental health support, clean water, sanitation, and protection for vulnerable populations.
Nazarene churches in Venezuela are responding with care. From medical outreach and food distributions to providing spiritual and emotional support, pastors and church members are serving in the worst-hit communities.
Pastor Edgar Reina of Millennial Church shared that the experience has been deeply traumatic, both as a father and as a pastor.
“Through prayer, God gave me the peace and direction I needed,” he said.
Though his church building is no longer safe to use, the congregation has united to serve others. On Sunday, June 28, they visited a site where more than 3,000 people are sheltering outside. The team visited with survivors, heard their heartbreaking stories, prayed with them, and distributed practical supplies. Next, they plan to set up a community kitchen to provide nutritious meals to any in need.
“We have been reminded that the church is not a building but its people,” Pastor Reina shared. “Even amid tragedy, we have witnessed God’s love through people serving selflessly. We are grateful for every prayer, donation, and act of support that enables us to continue operating our ministry. With hope and faith, we continue forward.”
You can support this compassionate response. Give at ncm.org/venezuela.
Our God, we lift up the people of Venezuela as they grieve the loss of loved ones and face the challenges left by these devastating earthquakes. Provide comfort to those who are mourning. Protect families who have been displaced. Meet the urgent needs of those without safe shelter, clean water, or medical care. Strengthen local churches, first responders, and humanitarian workers with wisdom, endurance, and compassion as they serve their communities. May your peace be present. Lord, hear our prayers.
Food Security in Zambia
Across five years, an agricultural development project in Zambia equipped 457 small-scale farmers (exceeding the original goal of 420) with training in conservation agriculture, climate-smart farming, financial literacy, nutrition, and other sustainable livelihood practices. Participants adopted improved farming techniques that increased crop yields and strengthened resilience to drought. By the project's completion, 75% of participants (338 farmers) were producing enough food for their families, 130 households had established kitchen gardens, and 310 farmers had adopted drought-resistant crops.
Eighteen local Nazarene congregations played an active role throughout the project by identifying participants, hosting training sessions, and providing ongoing mentorship through pastors and church leaders. Working alongside government agricultural extension officers, the churches helped strengthen community partnerships and supported vulnerable families as they built more sustainable livelihoods and greater resilience to future climate challenges.
Lord, we thank you for this food security program in Zambia that improved the lives of hundreds of families and thousands of people. Continue to bless the efforts of these families as they labor to grow the food they need. Bring rain when it is needed. May the involved local churches continue to look for ways to care for their communities. Lord, hear our prayers.