Immediate aid is being determined and released for Japan to keep survivors surviving. When assessing the aftermath of an earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear scare, immediacy is vital, but experts agree it will not fully solve the problem.

The psychological effect of this triple-threat disaster is bound to last for years to come.

Many experts agree that these recent events will undoubtedly trigger a wave of depression throughout the country. In an article with “PsychCentral,” Psychologist Dr. Magda Osman says that the effects of feeling out of control during the natural disaster, combined with the inevitable aid lull that takes place a few months after any disaster, could easily trigger severe depression.

Others agree that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will set in, especially as a result of the nuclear plant explosions. Dr. Joan Anzia, Professor of Psychiatry at Northwestern, told ABC News, “The distress from the nuclear threat is very different; an ‘act of God’ like an earthquake is different from a man-made disaster. With a man-made disaster, there’s more of a feeling of betrayal by your government, and betrayal traumas have, in some ways, a heavier impact.”

Reports indicate that Japan is prepared to provide psychological aid for an earthquake or similar catastrophe, but not for a disaster of this magnitude. “Typically, we see rates of about a third of those affected by the trauma, but with these three traumas, earthquake, tsunami, and radiation, the rates of PTSD are likely to be incredible,” says Joseph Scotti, professor of psychology at Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

Unable to meet the need that will inevitably explode in coming weeks, the Japanese government will need help providing psychological aid. The notion of assisting is exciting for Biblica, a ministry which knows Japanese will find true hope in help grounded in the love of Christ.

“Right now in the early days after a disaster of this magnitude, of course it’s the shelter, food, water that people are in need of. But in the weeks and months to follow, there’s a time where there’s a perfect opportunity for what we call ‘spiritual and emotional care,'” explains Rich Blanco, vice president of Outreach for Biblica.

“People who’ve lost everything are just really going to be seeking how they rebuild their lives, and that’s where Biblica steps in with God’s Word in very appropriate formats to bring hope to a hopeless situation.”

The format Blanco refers to is three simple booklets which provide comfort and counseling in view of Christ. “When Your Whole World Changes” is currently being translated into Japanese and provides help through all of the psychological stages of grief. Users are encouraged to journal on extra pages to work through their thoughts in their timing. “Survivors” is essentially the children’s edition of the first booklet.

“Beside Quiet Waters” could bring vital assistance to anyone who experienced the quake or the tsunami. “When people experience a disaster like this, often they’re not sleeping well, they’re waking up scared, and there’s the fear of another tsunami or earthquake,” explains Blanco. This booklet helps people deal with their anxiety by turning to Christ for comfort and trusting in God.

All of these booklets are Christ-centered. Despite the fact that Japan has been traditionally non-Christian, Blanco says disasters like this one provide unique opportunities for openness. People will be looking for answers, and these booklets could provide necessary first-steps to emotional and mental healing, but ultimately spiritual healing as well.

Experts say that psychological responses too quickly can be devastating for trauma suffers. Some may not be ready to rehash their experience for quite sometime. Biblica’s response allows people to go at their own pace, to read, and to journal when they feel ready and comfortable.

Yemen security forces have killed 40 people and injured hundreds more. Snipers opened fire from rooftops at thousand of protesters gathered in Taghyeer Square demanding an end to Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 30-year rule.

The shootings mark the deadliest state force in two months of political unrest in the Middle East. Saleh declared a state of emergency—but protesters are not giving up despite meeting with shootings, water cannons and tear gas. Saleh called those who were killed martyrs of democracy.

President Obama strongly condemned the violence in Yemen and called on Saleh to adhere to his public pledge to allow demonstrations to take place peacefully.

“Those responsible for today’s violence must be held accountable. The United States stands for a set of universal rights, including the freedom of expression and assembly, as well as political change that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people,” Obama said. “It is more important than ever for all sides to participate in an open and transparent process that addresses the legitimate concerns of the Yemeni people, and provides a peaceful, orderly and democratic path to a stronger and more prosperous nation.”

At a press conference, Saleh suggested that his forces were not responsible for the shootings and pointed to a Saudi Arabians as the culprits. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz is working to bolster the nation’s religious establishment, military and security. Aziz introduced new benefits for citizens while ignoring calls for political reform.

Online dating is nothing new, but the $1.8 billion industry is growing—and diversifying—by leaps and bounds.

There are dating sites for cheaters, dating sites for millionaires, and dating sites for Christians. The are dating sites for specific ethnic groups, dating sites for divorcees, and dating sites for age groups.

Now, there are even dating sites exclusively for virgins and abstinent singles.

WeWaited.com and WeAbstain.com are catering to singles on the dating scene that are looking for someone of the opposite sex that holds the same values. While WeWaited.com targets virgins looking for other virgins to date, WeAbstain.com focuses on singles who decide not to have sex before tying the knot.

“Single virgins view our site as a safe place to meet other like-minded singles,” says Lety Colin, who founded WeWaited.com with her husband, Jose. “That’s because we use a reliable screening process. We figure if someone is not honest about themselves, they may not be honest regarding their status as a virgin.”

The Colins are also behind WeAbstain.com. The duo knows how important—and how difficult—it is to meet other abstinent singles. At WeAbstain.com, Jose says, there is no social stigma attached to being abstinent. Instead, it’s a big plus.

WeAbstain.com also welcomes individuals who identify themselves as “born-again virgins.” These are Christians who may have had sex at some point in life but have decided to abstain from further sex until they reach a serious commitment with another abstinent person.

Lety says all profiles are screened, and the basic information provided by potential members is independently verified. The Colins were virgins when they married and say the decision to wait has strengthened their bond as husband and wife.

“WeWaited.com is more than just an online meeting place,” says Lety. “We offer our members articles, advice and a forum where they can take comfort in the fact that there are many others out there with the same values.”

Ryan Riddell has sold hundreds of homes. But the Keller Williams agent—and pastor of a local church in Dayton, Ohio—spent the month of January homeless.

No, Riddell wasn’t behind on his mortgage. He willingly took to the cold streets of Dayton—leaving behind his wife and three children—to follow his heart in a campaign to raise awareness of homelessness.

“I felt the Lord leading me to do this,” Riddell says, still sporting the beard that grew on his face during his experiment.

Riddell got the idea at a Francis Chan conference.

“I felt convicted to do more than just talk about people that are hurting, dying and lost. I felt compelled to do something to help these people,” he continues. “Jesus became like us in order to reach us. For me, this was a spiritual renewal.”

Beyond raising awareness of the plight of the homeless, Riddell was also working to raise support for New Family Tree Ministries, which provides furnishing and transitional housing for kids who are aging out of foster care. Riddell reports that Dayton’s homeless shelters are filled with 18- to 21-year-old kids who came out of the foster care system.

Riddell accomplished his goals by sleeping in a van for 30 days in Dayton’s freezing weather—not a fancy custom van, but an old paneled van. He fully experienced homeless life, including searching for public restrooms. He took two showers a week. Before the end of the 30 days, he appeared fully like his homeless brethren.

“I learned through this that people have a face and a name. We drive through town and think these people have self-induced problems,” Riddell says. “A lot of times they do, but, man, sometimes they do not. I’ve not been very sympathetic to the needs of these people. I had ignored them. But the Lord showed me that these people are real and they all have a story. They have a face. They have a name. They have a soul.”

Joe Walusis, a fellow agent in the Dayton-Southeast Market Center, says his colleagues prayed for Riddell’s safety every day. “We are in awe of what Ryan has done and we back him 110 percent,” Walusis says. “He has a nice home and a nice family. I’m totally amazed of his courage and his accomplishment.”

Riddell developed relationships with a number of homeless people during his 30 days on the streets. He says the people embraced him and his quest to raise awareness for his plight. And raise awareness he did. ABC’s Diane Sawyer called him. The Washington Post interviewed him. And several local television and radio stations followed his story. Riddell also posted video blogs every day to document his journey.

“The homeless people embraced me because they have no voice. There is no one crying out for them. They hug me, love me and thank me,” Riddell says. “Now, my goal is to raise support for the homeless and aged-out foster kids through speaking engagements. I’m also working directly with nine kids to help them find homes and jobs.”

This Sunday, Haitians will hit the polls—hopefully the last time for this particular presidential election.

Elections were first held a few months ago in November 2010. Riots immediately erupted at polling places, however, when registered voters’ names weren’t on the list and ballot boxes were full. Accusations of fraud filled the air for weeks.

A couple of weeks later the results were announced for a run-off election to be held in January between former first lady Mirlande Manigat and government technocrat Jude Celestin. At that point, thousands poured into the streets in protest over what they believed to be a rigged presidential poll favoring ruling government coalition.

Finally in February, the situation was ironed out and a decision was made to reverse the results of the disputed first round. Celestin was out of the running for presidency, and Manigat would now be running against popular carnival singer Michel Martelly for the presidency on March 20.

After a frustratingly drawn out process, though, Haiti is finally ready to vote. Reports suggest that 70-year-old Manigat’s experience and educational background will appeal to some, while 50-year-old Martelly’s lack of involvement with corrupt politics and campaign for change are desired presidential qualities for others. Only Sunday’s vote will determine the true winner.

Ron Sparks with Baptist Haiti Mission says believers seem to be torn by the candidates, neither of whom seem to be a perfect Christian choice, Sparks says.

“Madame Manigat is a lawyer. She’s smart, she’s got some experience, but she is also is sympathetic to some non-Christian practices,” explains Sparks. “On the other hand, Martelly is very popular with the younger people. He’s a carnival singer and musician, but not the best on morals in a lot of ways.”

Sparks suggests that the best thing for onlookers to do is pray. Haiti has been in shambles even before the January 2010 earthquake, but especially since then. Heightened anxiety coupled with the return of former leaders Duvalier and Aristide could easily provoke November-like violence at the polls.

In light of that, Sparks gives a few prayer suggestions: “The main thing, at this point, is that things go peacefully, that there be a clear decision as to who the newly-elected president’s going to be, and that there be an agreement following the elections that the people will follow this leader and maybe get Haiti on the track to make some progress that’s been so lacking in the past.”

Haiti’s church continues to grow. Whatever the outcome of the elections, pray that the church would move forward with the spread of the Gospel and would shine the true hope for the Haitian people.

Japan may be heading toward the largest nuclear disaster in human history.

Naoto Kan, Japan’s prime minister, said the crisis at the Fukushima plant is “very grave” and that the military, police and firefighters are “putting their lives on the line” to contain the crisis.

The island nation on Friday raised the severity rating of the nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima plant from a level four to a level  five. The international nuclear event scale ranges from one to seven.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) developed the scale to communicate the safety significance of reported nuclear and radiological incidents and accidents. A level four rating marks an accident with local consequences, while a level five event marks an accident with wider consequences. Level six is a serious accident and level seven is a major accident.

U.S. military forces in the Pacific are standing by to help Japan avert a greater disaster. Voice of America News reports that Admiral Robert Willard told reporters at the Pentagon that all possible measures must be taken to avoid a greater crisis.

“That would be a situation where the recovery effort to keep the cores covered in these reactors would ever be abandoned,” Willard said. “And we believe that that can’t happen, that we must do everything required to keep water and cooling affecting these reactors.”

Japan continues to work to cool the damaged reactors and exposed fuel rods that the 9-magnitude earthquake rocked a week ago. If the reactors are not cooled, they could release radiation beyond the immediate area. Hong Kong has been actively testing for radiation seeping into China, and so far is not reporting any incidents.

To put the danger into context, only the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the Ukraine rated seven on the international nuclear event scale. A 30 kilometer exclusion zone was established to protect citizens from radiation. A level six nuclear disaster was seen at Kyshtym in the Soviet Union in 1958. Level five disasters include the Three Mile Island accident near Harrisburg, PA. That’s where Japan stands now.

“We, when necessary, will conduct operations inside that radius, when they’re in support of the Japanese Defense Forces,” Willard said. “So while U.S. citizens are constrained from operating in there, my forces are not, when they’re needed to conduct humanitarian assistance, disaster response or logistics support to our Japanese friends or to our own forces or any other forces that we happen to be supporting.”

When I recently heard Christians suggesting that a prayer initiative for America was useless I was struck to the core with the realization that the Body of Christ is far from unified. I mean, if we can’t unify around prayer, what can we unify around?

For all the impactful prayer movements in the Body, I still run into some believers who seem embittered by the efforts. They throw up their arms and ask, “Why even bother praying anymore?” because they don’t see the fruit of their supplications. Yet faith is the evidence of things not seen (see Heb. 11:1). I shudder to think what would happen if we stopped praying for America.

What’s the solution to this disunity? More intercession, more equipping, and more love.

Here’s the deal: With rights come responsibilities—and both apply to prayer. We have the right to come boldly to the throne of grace for anything we need—but we also have a responsibility to pray. Jesus said, “When you pray,” not “If you pray” (see Matt. 6:6). Jesus wouldn’t have told us to pray if it was a useless endeavor.

Indeed, the Bible commands us to pray instead of getting anxious (see Phil. 4:6). We are charged to pray for those who persecute us (see Matt. 5:44). We are supposed to pray for those in authority (see 1 Tim. 2:1-4). God’s prayer list is quite specific. When we pray His Word in faith, He hears us. And we know if He hears us, He answers us.

Jesus also addressed our motive for praying—it should be for heaven’s reward, not man’s (see Matt. 6:5-6). If our prayer meetings are simply spiritual warfare showcases where one prayer warrior works to out-pray the next, we’re hypocrites (see Matt. 6:5). Our prayer motive should be to bring glory to God by bringing His will to the earth—not to bring glory to ourselves because we can bind the devil with more vehemence or pray the Word more eloquently. That’s called religious performance!

Ephesians 4:12 explains the primary purpose of the five-fold: to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. Part of that equipping includes teaching on pure intercession motivated by love.

We all have the ministry of intercession just like we all have the ministry of reconciliation. The Holy Spirit can work through any one of us to launch prayers that bring transformation to situations, lives and cities just like He can work through any of us to share the glorious Gospel of Christ. He’s looking for willing vessels with the right motive—and that right motive is love. Love (and obedience) should move us to prayer.

As more saints are equipped to intercede in alignment with the heart of the Father, the prayer movement becomes like a proverbial snowball rolling down a hill. Although our prayers are not solely results-focused, the results will eventually become visible if we remain faithful to believe God’s Word doesn’t return to Him void. Let us not become weary or faint in praying for God’s will. We will reap a harvest from our faithful prayers if we do not give up (see Gal. 6:9). And reaping a harvest of prayer results can sure light a fire in the heart of a believer who wants to see God’s Kingdom manifest. As that fire spreads, so does God’s will across the earth.

Sure, we can intercede alone, but look how the intercession momentum builds as we move corporately—in  unity. Jesus said, “You may ask me anything in my name, and I will do it” (see John 14:14, NIV). But look what happens when we add just one more: “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (see Matt. 18:19, KJV). If one can put 1,000 to flight, two can put 10,000 to flight (see Deut. 32:30). And remember what happened when the disciples in the Book of Acts got together to pray corporately? “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind” (see Acts 4:31-32). They were unified in prayer.

So therein lies one part of the solution to the disunity in the Body of Christ. Instead of focusing on denominational differences, which spiritual gift should be exalted over another, or even why we aren’t seeing the prayer answers we labored for in a nation, we should be coming together in unity to pray out of a heart of love for Jesus, receive a refreshing from the Holy Ghost, and be equipped to speak the unadulterated Word of God boldly. As we do, it will breed an atmosphere that sets the stage for us all to reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God—and see prayer answers.

Jennifer is news editor at Charisma. She is also the author of
several books, including Breakthrough! Develop the 7 Habits of Victorious Christian Living. You can email Jennifer at

[email protected] or visit her web site at www.jenniferleclaire.org.

The headlines coming out of the Middle East are troublesome.

News reports detail pro-democracy activists allegedly tortured by Egyptian soldiers, dozens injured in renewed Yemen protests, Saudi Arabia protests turning violent, the brother of al-Qaeda’s second-in-command released in Egypt, Iran exploiting Israel-Egypt coordination difficulties, Libyans fleeing to Egypt, and so on.

The Arab revolution may have started in Tunisia, but onlookers say Egypt holds the key to the future of the Middle East—and this weekend is a potential turning point as the people who fought for freedom vote on changes to the constitution. Those changes set the stage for free elections this summer. With such a fast process, many are concerned that the Muslim Brotherhood could sweep the elections.

Hassan al-Banna, a pan-Islamist who opposed the secular tendencies in Islamic nations, formed The Muslim Brotherhood in 1928. It was he who birthed the credo, “Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. Koran is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.”

Muslim Brotherhood is forming a political party called Freedom and Justice. Sa`d al-Katatni has been asked to lead the charge. This is a significant development because it marks the first time in the nearly century-long history of the Muslim Brotherhood that it has successfully organized a political party.

“We need to pray for the entire Middle East because whatever God is going to allow to happen in Egypt is going to influence the whole region,” says Dr. Mark Gabriel, who was born and raised in Egypt as a Muslim before converting to Christianity, changing his name, and moving to the U.S. Gabriel is author of Islam and Terrorism.

“So we pray for the local church in Egypt. We pray for the situation and ask the Lord to come and intervene,” Gabriel says. “We pray for the position of the U.S. as the world leader to handle the transition in Egypt in a very wise way based on clear understanding of the situation.”

Specifically, Gabriel is urging prayer for the U.S. State Department—that the Lord would give the right words to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Gabriel pointed to Clinton’s February statement that tentatively welcomed the Muslim Brotherhood.

“Today we learned the Muslim Brotherhood decided to participate, which suggests they at least are now involved in the dialogue that we have encouraged,” Clinton said. The Muslim Brotherhood quickly spun Clinton’s statement as a warm welcome for the Islamic extremist group, so long as Egyptians chose it through democratic elections.

But there is reason for concern if the Muslim Brotherhood gains political power. Al-Qaradawi is widely recognized as an intellectual force behind the Muslim Brotherhood. His recent sermon to the approximately one million people in Tahrir Square was venomous, calling for war against Israel and a takeover of Jerusalem.

“Al-Qaradawi asked the Egyptian army to open wide the Rafah crossing and to pray for the re-conquest of Jerusalem by the Muslims, so that he and the Muslims could pray in security at Al-Aqsa Mosque. This part of his sermon was cheered and applauded by the crowd,” reports the Middle East Research Center.

When Clinton toured Egypt on Wednesday, her first visit since longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak was forced out of power in the revolution, she said even though Egypt’s foreign policy will change with the referendum, she thinks there is an interest in keeping peace in the Middle East.

“Egypt has got a lot on its plate. It’s going to have to politically reform, economically reform. It’s got a big agenda ahead of it. I think the last thing it wants is to see any kind of problem between itself and its neighbors, she said, noting that she expected Egypt to work to keep terrorists out of the Gaza Strip.

“I think there’s also an argument that Egypt’s got security interests in not permitting the import and export of arms and possible ingress and egress of terrorists,” she said. “So it’s not only what Egypt will or won’t do with respect to Israel, it’s what Egypt will decide is in its interest to do. And that will be up to the Egyptian government to determine.”?

At such a critical turning point in the nation’s history—and with its implications for the rest of the Middle East—Gabriel is urging continued intercession for Egypt: “Pray that the right people are selected to lead Egypt in the coming days and years,” Gabriel says. “Pray for all Christians in the Middle East all over the globe to intercede on the situation in Egypt.”

Two strong tremors shook Japan Wednesday. These join the dozens of  aftershocks that continue to unsettle the displaced after Friday’s quake and tsunami.

However, the nuclear crisis is what really has the government worried. The radiation from damaged nuclear reactors in the Fukushima complex complicates Southern Baptist disaster relief efforts in Japan, according to one member of the assessment team. Jeff Palmer, Executive Director for Baptist Global Response, says, “We’ve looked at plans for helping in the earthquake areas. The tsunami areas are fairly well closed to private volunteer organizations. The Japanese government is handling that, and on top of that, those are in the radiation areas.

The scope of the damage is in the billions. A wide swath of the country lies in ruins. Within the government restrictions, Palmer explains that “a lot of us are focusing our response on those peripheral earthquake-affected areas which are requiring food, shelter, and help for folks who are being evacuated or have left the area.”

Events are unfolding on a minute-by-minute basis, which means planning needs to stay fluid. The Japan disaster relief situation is unlike any other in recent history, noted Pat Melancon, BGR’s disaster management specialist. Palmer says, “We’re all scrambling to come up with an effective plan for the immediate, because it is basically chaos–everything we’re getting from our Japanese partners, everything from our assessment team right now. But that’s the nature of a huge disaster like this.”

Palmer goes on explain, “You’ll have the disaster event, and then you have the responders. You go in and basically rescue, help. Then you’ll move on to a recovery/rehabilitation phase which means getting them stabilized, getting them back. And then we’ll start development.”

With three disasters converging in one country, each response plan has a direct impact on the other plans. Palmer says eventually, everything will be addressed. Even with the crisis so fresh, BGR is keeping an eye cast to the future. “This is a long term response. We’re just starting to see a semblance of normalcy after over a year in Haiti of getting things back, getting homes, and getting people back to life. Japan is going to be this bad, or worse.”

BGR is working primarily through Japanese Christian partners. They are providing the resources those partners need to effectively execute  the relief strategy. For the survivors, spiritual moorings have been shaken. Palmer notes that “as our folks go in, they will be sharing their lives, one-on-one, helping people and also giving their story on how God has made a difference in their lives, because in anything like this, people lose hope. People lose that focus, and we have a great message of hope that is found in the Gospel.”

Although there are limitations to where they can help, he says, “We will respond and help people where they are hurting. At the same time, we will also offer them a hope that is found in eternal hope, a hope that is here and now as well as later and beyond, a hope that is found in Jesus Christ.”

There are many ways to help. Usually it’s: Pray, Give, or Go. Palmer says right now, it’s more effective to say, “Pray, Give, and Wait, because of this complex humanitarian event with the tertiary radiation.”

Palmer ends with this request: “Pray for Japan as a nation. Pray for the victims, the survivors, the emotional healing that needs to take place. Pray for the responders that are able to be there–the Japanese government. Pray for the country, that the comfort of Jesus and the hope of the Gospel could come forth into their lives.”

On January 12, 2011, Pastor Benny Hinn filed suit in Orange County, California, against self-described Christian media consultant Phil Cooke for disseminating false and defamatory information by improperly linking Pastor Hinn to a prominent female minister on his Twitter account.

In a tweet dated January 10, 2011, Mr. Cooke wrote, “TV EVANGELIST NEWS: Benny Hinn and Paula White reported engaged. Prayer cloths are rejoicing everywhere.”

Cooke’s utterly false report resulted in embarrassment and adverse financial consequences to Pastor Hinn, his family, and his church.

After Hinn filed suit, Cooke agreed to, among other things, recant his fallacious tweet. He did so on Saturday, March 12, 2011, writing, “My tweet last month that Benny Hinn was engaged was wrong—my source was mistaken. I’m sorry and apologies to Benny Hinn and his children.”

In exchange for this apology and the other concessions from Cooke, Hinn dismissed his lawsuit.