Praying for Venezuela After Massive Earthquakes

As many as thousands are feared dead in Venezuela after two massive earthquakes struck within minutes on Wednesday, June 24.

Many Venezuelans were at home for a national holiday when a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit at 6:00 p.m., just west of the capital city of Caracas. Thirty-nine seconds later, a stronger, 7.5-magnitude quake hit less than 3 miles away. 

The rare occurrence of two massive quakes (called a doublet) was the strongest earthquake to hit Venezuela in more than a century. An 1812 earthquake killed some 30,000 people in the same area.

Less than 24 hours after the quakes, estimates for deaths were still unclear, as rescuers searched scores of toppled buildings in La Guaira and Caracas. The U.S. Geological Survey warned the death toll could potentially soar into the thousands. 

Many Venezuelans spent the night in the streets, fearing damaged homes could still collapse. Rescue efforts were complicated by destroyed roads, collapsing infrastructure, and heavy damage that closed the airport in Caracas.

Venezuela was already reeling from years of instability and deprivation, as the country crumbled under a failed socialist government. Food shortages, massive inflation, worthless currency, and failed health care systems drove many away. 

Nearly 8 million Venezuelans have fled the country in recent years. Some have hoped for improvements after the U.S. removed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro from power in January. But a long road was still ahead, and that road is now far longer with massive damage to the capital city.

LOOKING TO THE CHURCH

Local churches in Venezuela have often sought to help meet needs for struggling families, even as church leaders struggle themselves. The Evangelical Council of Venezuela released a statement after the earthquakes, saying the disaster “has shaken not only our land, but also the very core of our being.”

They continued: “We recognize the pain, uncertainty, and fear that overwhelm so many families. As the body of Christ, we share in their anguish. We wish to express our deepest embrace of solidarity to those who are walking through this valley of the shadow of death today.”

Spiritual needs have long persisted in Venezuela. 

Nearly 85 percent identify as Catholic, but Operation World reports that only around 10 percent of Catholics attend Mass: “Fewer people go to church in Venezuela than in any other Latin American nation.” 

As Venezuela now battles the aftermath of a huge disaster, the global church should pray for God’s mercy to those suffering, and for his help to churches responding to physical and spiritual needs:

1. Pray for rescue efforts and emergency response. 

Rescue workers are still digging through collapsed buildings, and face danger themselves as they desperately search for people trapped under rubble. Hospitals in Caracas were already overburdened, and now face a monumental task to help the injured. 

Pray for these local efforts, and also for the international teams making their way to the country to assist.

2. Pray for the suffering.

While the death toll is still unclear, it’s obvious that many thousands of Venezuelans are facing injury and the loss of loved ones and homes. Pray that they will find comfort and help in Christ. 

3. Pray for the church to display the love of Jesus.

Pray the Lord will help local churches reach out with practical and spiritual help to those around them, even as they suffer themselves. Pray that many will come to know the saving power and love of Christ, even through the valley of the shadow of death.