May 15, 2008

Dear Friend,

For the second time in the span of two weeks, I have witnessed heartbreaking devastation as I travel in Asia. A deadly earthquake shook the nation of China on Monday; within hours, Chinese officials reported 8,500 people killed and thousands more injured or trapped. As of Wednesday, the death toll is reported at more than 15,000.

Monday’s earthquake was felt in the coastal cities of Beijing and Shanghai, more than a thousand miles from the epicenter. In terms of intensity, it was comparable to the deadly earthquake in 1976 that killed approximately 240,000 people in China.

The devastation is horrific. It could take years for the area to recover, but you cannot recover the loss of life. Pray that the people of China will turn to the Lord and know that “He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help�?(Psalm 72:12, NIV).

Pray also:

• For earthquake survivors who are trapped, injured, homeless, or grieving
• For the Chinese churches and Christians as they reach out as neighbors to those who are in need
• For Samaritan's Purse and relief organizations providing disaster relief in China

Please visit billygraham.org in the coming days for updates on how you can continue to pray for the devastated people of China. And please forward this to as many people as you can.

Thank you for your prayers. May God bless you.

Sincerely,

Franklin Graham
President