Weekly Prayer Update
Friday, October 3, 2025
Earthquake in the Philippines
On Tuesday, September 30, a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Cebu in the Philippines, causing extensive damage and claiming at least 72 lives so far. Entire homes and public buildings have been heavily damaged or destroyed, and many more are displaced. Rescue teams are still struggling to reach remote areas, and reports suggest that aftershocks and unstable structures complicate relief efforts. Access to clean water, medical care, and shelter remains limited, especially for the most vulnerable—children, the elderly, and those already living in precarious conditions.
On the Cebu District, the District NCM team has already mobilized and will be deployed to a town near the earthquake’s epicenter to carry out an initial response. They plan to distribute drinking water, food, and medicine to around 1,000 affected individuals in Medellin, Cebu, about two hours from Cebu City. Early next week, additional assessments will be made in other hard-hit areas to determine further needs and responses.
Lord, we pray for your help to come to all who are in need after this earthquake. Through aid groups, churches, and local authorities, provide food, water, and shelter for the most vulnerable. Comfort the grieving, and encourage those who feel hopeless and those who have no place to live. Lord, hear our prayers.
Hurricane Erik Response in Mexico
This past June, Hurricane Erik struck a coastal region along the Pacific Ocean in southern Mexico, severely affecting communities in Guerrero and Oaxaca states. Homes were damaged, roads blocked, and families faced shortages of food and clean water. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in Mexico, together with local church leaders and volunteers, quickly mobilized two groups to provide relief. The volunteers cleared debris and mud, restored access to homes, and provided spiritual and emotional support. In Guerrero, more than 150 people received direct assistance with cleanup, while in Oaxaca, families in need received drinking water and food baskets. In total, more than 315 families—about 1,600 people—benefited from this coordinated response that totaled more than 1,200 hours of service. Those helped expressed gratefulness for the clean water, clothing, food, and spiritual support.
“Beyond numbers, the service planted seeds of encouragement, reconnection, and hope in the midst of disaster,” reported a project leader.
God, we thank you for those who serve and give whenever crises arise. We know that people face long recoveries after storms like Hurricane Erik. We pray for families and individuals who are still rebuilding their lives months after the storm. Help them and bless them, Lord. May we, too, be responsive to offer support to those suffering around us. Lord, hear our prayers.
Health Care Ministries
There are so many obstacles that can prevent someone from getting the medical care they need. Cost, location, stigma, and lack of resources can layer, compounding the barriers between a person who is sick and a health care professional. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries partners with clinics, hospitals, and community-based health care programs around the world to overcome these barriers. Through education, training, resources, and support for communities in need of both physical and spiritual healing, lives are being transformed.
We pray for people struggling to access health care. We pray that through health care ministries, those who are sick or in pain would come to experience the healing of Christ. Lord, hear our prayers.