German and Spanish evangelicals commit to pray and help families

Two days after the plane crash which caused the death of 150 people in the French Alps, Christians from all over Europe and the world keep praying for the families affected.

The Evangelical Council of Catalonia (CEC) which is located in Barcelona, showed their “consternation” and their “deepest condolences to the families and friends, hoping that God may strengthen them and fill them with hope in these difficult moments”. In this north-east region of Spain, many towns and cities mourned parents, friends and co-workers who lost their lives in the Alps. Local churches and Christian ministries also joined in prayer.

On Wednesday, the Spanish Evangelical Federation had also asked to “unite in prayer” to  “Him who suffered on the Cross of Calvary the reality of human suffering.”

“WE ARE PRAYING FOR GERMANY AND SPAIN”

French evangelicals represented by the CNEF also encouraged everyone to “pray for the consolation of the families”, adding a verse of Psalm 34:

Prions pour la consolation des familles des victimes du crash de l'Airbus A320 L’Éternel est près de ceux qui ont le cœur brisé Psaumes 34

— Thierry Le Gall (@comcnef) March 24, 2015

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) sent a message to the German and Spanish Evangelical Alliances: “We want you to know that we are praying for the people of both Germany and Spain as so many families struggle with the personal and national tragedy”.  

WHERE WAS GOD? “HE IS NEAR TO THOSE IN NEED”

In Germany, Christians also reacted by embracing the families, according to the German agency, Idea. 

Arno Rentsch, member of the Fellowship of Christian Airline Personnel, a pilot who has himself piloted an Airbus 320 in the past, said it would be a mistake to blame God for the tragedy. He said it was a big help to know that there is something more than life on earth, and to know that someone can look to God in any situation.

Member of the Evangelical Church of Westfalia Annette Kurschus added: “Not too long ago I also took the flight from Barcelona to Düsseldorf. I cannot imagine what families are going through after this tragedy.” She added: “We know that our lifes are fragile and death is always a threat. She asked that God may make His presence known to the families of the victims so that they “may endure what is almost unendurable.”

Finally, a pastor specialised in emergencies Ralf Radix explained to Idea that relatives react to tragedies in different ways. “Some of them lethargic, others with much more visible sadness.” He added that he sees himself as a “tool of God” in this situations. Questions like “why, and where was God” also come to his own mind, but “God is near to those who are in need”, he concluded.