Venezuela Needs Your Prayers: Two Earthquakes Leave Dozens Dead and Thousands Homeless

This building collapse in the Altamira neighborhood of Caracas mirrors sights found throughout the capital city of Venezuela and surrounding areas after two massive earthquakes struck on the evening of June 24.

Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes Wednesday afternoon, sending destruction across several cities and leaving communities reeling. Images from the affected areas tell a stark story: collapsed buildings, displaced families and a nation in shock.

"This is something we have never seen before," shared one of our team members on the ground in Caracas.

In the capital alone, at least 164 people have been reported dead and almost 1,000 injured. Caracas' international airport remains closed due to severe structural damage. The cities of La Guaira and Puerto Cabello — the latter near the epicenter — are among the hardest hit, with numerous buildings and homes completely destroyed.

Our RTM* Venezuela Team Is Safe

Amid the tragedy, there is reason to give thanks to God. The RTM Venezuela team was inside the radio station when the earthquakes struck, and everyone made it out safely. “There were six of us at the station, and we went through a terrifying moment,” said Gabriel Fernandez, the executive director for RTM Venezuela. “But thank God, we all came out OK."

Power outages and drained phone batteries have made communication difficult in the hours since the earthquakes. The condition of the building is still being assessed, and we hope to share more updates soon.

Join Us in Prayer for Venezuela

At TWR, we believe prayer moves the heart of God and transforms situations. Today, Venezuela needs the Church to stand together. We ask you to pray for:

UPDATED: 26 June:

• Pray for the families who have lost loved ones, that the Lord would comfort them and strengthen them during this time of grief.
• Pray for those who are still awaiting news of family members and friends, that God would grant them peace in the midst of uncertainty.
• Pray for the injured, that they would receive timely medical care and experience the healing touch of the Lord.
• Pray for rescue teams, medical personnel, firefighters, civil protection workers, and volunteers, that God would give them strength, wisdom, and protection as they serve.
• Pray for national, regional, and local authorities, that they would make wise decisions and respond with diligence and compassion.
• Pray for the churches in the affected areas, that they would become instruments of hope, comfort, and practical service to their communities.
• Pray for those who are experiencing fear and anxiety, that they would find refuge, peace, and security in God.
• Pray that the Lord would provide for families who have lost homes, possessions, or other material resources.
• Pray that the love and unity of the church would be clearly demonstrated during this time, serving those in need with compassion and generosity.
• Pray that, even in the midst of uncertainty, many people would turn their hearts to Christ and discover in Him the true source of hope and salvation.

25 June:

• The victims and their families: for those who have lost their lives, the hundreds who are injured and the thousands who have lost their homes in an instant.
• Our listeners in La Guaira and Puerto Cabello, cities severely impacted by the earthquakes.
• The RTM Venezuela team: for their safety, peace of mind and the swift assessment and recovery of the broadcasting facilities.
• The people of Caracas: for the thousands who spent the night in parks and plazas, waiting for news of loved ones still trapped under the rubble.
• Local authorities and rescue teams: for wisdom, resources and strength as they respond to this emergency.
• For the people of Venezuela: that amid pain and uncertainty, they would find true and lasting hope in God.

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble." — Nahum 1:7

Help us send messages of hope and healing to the people of Venezuela through Shine 800 AM on Bonaire. 

* RTM is an acronym for Radio Trans Mundial, the Spanish-language version of TWR, or Trans World Radio.