by Matthew Crouch
At the time of this writing I have just left the Middle East and am now in Africa. We are still grieving today over another assault on innocent people, as suicide bombers killed at least 41 individuals and injured hundreds more in a murderous attack Tuesday at the Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. Laurie and I are particularly sobered by this latest incident, as we flew into Turkey not long ago, and walked through that very facility where many lost their lives Tuesday.
This latest travesty comes just a little over two weeks after another murderous attack in Orlando, Florida, where 49 innocent people lost their lives on June 12th. While the attacks happened thousands of miles apart, there are some striking similarities: both were the product of extremism and hatred, and both left hundreds of friends and loved ones grieving for those they lost — along with countless thousands more living in daily fear over the possibility of future attacks.
That’s where you and I come in. As God’s people we’re called to grieve with those who grieve, comfort the fearful with God’s peace, and counter hatred and darkness with the only thing that can make a difference: the love of Jesus (Romans 12:21).
In fact, right on the ground in Istanbul, that is happening through TBN’s affiliate Kanal Hayat, a Turkish language television network that is taking hope and healing to over 100 million potential Turkish-speaking viewers across the Middle East.
The truth is that everywhere violence, hatred, and fear are destroying individuals and families, the perfect love of Jesus has the power to break those chains and bring freedom. It happens through us. You and I are the conduits to make Jesus known and release His healing power — in our own neighborhoods and communities, and throughout the entire world. It happens as we pray, as we reach out in relevant ways to those around us, and as we partner together to take Jesus to the nations.
Today would you join Laurie and me — along with our entire TBN global family — in prayer for the hurting, grieving, and fearful in the aftermath of this horrific attack in Turkey? And ask God how you can help make Jesus’ love and peace a reality to those in your realm of influence, as well as to those across the earth.
Find out how the Trinity Broadcasting Family of Networks is taking the love of Jesus to every corner of the earth. Log on to www.tbn.org.