Spiritual Life Service Today Offers Prayers for the People of Turkey, Syria Impacted by Devastating Earthquake
Stained glass windows in Elliston Chapel on the Baylor University campus.
Prayer service will be held at 4:30 p.m. today in Elliston Chapel
Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-709-5959
Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia
WACO, Texas (Feb. 14, 2023) – Baylor University Chaplain Burt Burleson, D.Min., and the Office of Spiritual Life will hold a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, Feb. 14) in Elliston Chapel for students, faculty and staff to join together in prayer for the people of Turkey and Syria and all those who have been impacted by the devastating earthquake on Feb. 6.
“Please join us in pray together, uniting our hearts and trusting that God will use us and use our prayers to make a difference in the midst of this terrible tragedy. Together we can bear witness and hold this this great sadness,” Burleson said.
For those who would like to support or donate financially to recovery efforts, Baylor Missions and Public Life has created a list of nonprofit organizations* from all around the globe whose disaster relief efforts are helping with food, water, shelter, health care, heat and essential supplies. Charity Navigator provides information on organizations, as well as ratings for more than 9,000 charities.
*While Baylor University is supportive of the relief efforts currently being conducted by these organizations, Baylor University is not affiliated with them.Spiritual Life also invites individuals and groups of colleagues across campus to pray this week for the people of Turkey and Syria. Burleson offered this prayer for such a time:
“Adonai is close to the brokenhearted.” (Ps. 34: 19)
The words in bold are proclaimed together
Our hearts are broken for the devastation brought by this earthquake... and so...
We remember and together we confess, “Adonai is close to the brokenhearted.”
Our words fail us as we witness this pain... and so
We remember and together we confess, “Adonai is close to the brokenhearted.”
Our world is fragile, and we are vulnerable... we struggle to know what to do... and so
We remember and together we confess, “Adonai is close to the brokenhearted.”
Merciful One, in compassion today we hold in our hearts those who have lost loved ones... lost homes... lost a sense of security... lost everything. Most of us cannot begin to know the pain and trauma and grief they feel but in our inadequacy we pray... (silent prayers)
We remember and together we confess, “Adonai is close to the brokenhearted.”
Infinitely present One, in trust we pray to you, knowing that no one is ever beyond your love... but often we are unaware. So, may those today struggling to take the next step be gifted with a keen and clear awareness of your presence that they might be sustained. (silent prayers)
We remember and together we confess, “Adonai is close to the brokenhearted.”
Loving and tender One, here in this moment we open our hearts to share in this agony, praying that our solidarity in prayer might become solidarity in helping. May sanctuaries across the nation and around the world provide, in some way, a sanctuary for those suffering. (silent prayers)
We remember and together we confess, “Adonai is close to the brokenhearted.”
Incarnate One, we pray for all who are near to these circumstances and who are hoping to help. Give them courage. Bless them with safety and rest. Renew their compassion day by day. Guide them in their efforts and be incarnate in their loving service. (silent prayers)
We remember and together we confess, “Adonai is close to the brokenhearted.”
Eternal One, bless us now as we pray for one another, those near us daily. We are all carrying our own burdens today and carrying with you burdens beyond us. It is so much... there is just too much. Let us be awake, that the suffering we bear might make us more like you. We pray for one another. (silent prayers)
We remember and together we confess, “Adonai is close to the brokenhearted.”
And all God’s people said, Amen.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.