Pray for Sri Lanka in Bombing Aftermath

A series of Easter Sunday suicide bombings have killed at least 290 people and injured about 500. A church and three hotels were attack sites in Colombo, the capital. Two other churches were targeted in two cities on opposite sides of the island nation. Explosions continued Monday as authorities detonated additional bombs discovered following the attacks.

The majority of victims were among crowds gathered to celebrate Easter at two Catholic and one Pentecostal church.

“We have more than 100 people who were killed on the spot and so many others injured,” Bishop J.D. Anthony Jayakody, the auxiliary bishop of Colombo, told CNN. Jayakody told the news service that prayer “is our most important and powerful weapon” in response to the attack.

“The Evangelical and Pentecostal churches stand together in solidarity with the Catholic Church in this time of tragedy and share their pain and sorrow as the whole Body of Christ is suffering,” says a trusted church leader with the AG in Sri Lanka. He has confirmed there are currently no Assemblies of God worshippers identified among the victims.

“This attack specifically targeted Christians and has resulted in the largest number of martyrs in recent history,” the leader says. “The Church must be strong in [facing] opposition and suffering because we believe that Sri Lanka is destined for revival.”

The leader has asked for worldwide prayer support along three lines of intercession: (1) Pray that peace and calm will be restored to the region. (2) Pray for government officials and law enforcement to have wisdom to prevent any further agitation or religious animosity among the island’s multifaith population. (3) Pray for the Church to be united in tragedy, and that such unity will be a witness to the nation of Sri Lanka.

“I just met with this leader a couple weeks ago,” says U.S. AG General Superintendent Doug Clay. “Let’s unite in prayer for Sri Lanka.”