“We are in prayer every moment because we know our help will come from the almighty God. That’s why we are begging everyone to pray to our God for us,” says Melih Ekener, SAT-7 TÜRK Executive Director.
Staff at SAT-7’s Turkish TV studios are deeply shocked and request prayer for their country following Monday’s two massive earthquakes.
In a short statement, SAT-7 TÜRK said, “We are shocked and very sad. Currently, in many provinces, people are waiting for help under the rubble. The weather is cold and resources are limited… Please pray with us for the rescue of those who are under the rubble as soon as possible and for the necessary treatment for those who are injured… May the Lord comfort those who lost their loved ones.”
SAT-7 TÜRK’s Istanbul studio was unaffected by the disaster and all staff are accounted for. But Executive Assistant Annamaria Cedolin said, “Many of our staff have families, homes, churches, relatives and friends living in southeast Türkiye. Many have seen pictures of their family homes collapsed; cathedrals and churches have come down.”
The earthquakes struck at 1.17 GMT near the border city of Gazientep and at 10.24 GMT 80 miles to the north, causing destruction across a wide area of southeast Türkiye and northwest Syria. At the time of writing, the combined death toll has risen to nearly 20,000.
As emergency teams worked to rescue survivors from collapsed buildings, SAT-7 staff, like citizens across Türkiye, waited anxiously for news of family members, while many phone lines were down.
Broadcasting from Istanbul, Şemsa Deniz Bakır, the presenter of SAT-7 TÜRK’s first live program of the day, Homemade, invited any viewers who needed spiritual support to call. The channel has continued to share up-to-date information about the earthquake and local information on how viewers can help, as well as what affected people need the most.
A viewer of the show messaged to say, “May the Lord give patience to those who are left behind and healing to those who are injured. I share their pain and pray they find the courage to overcome this trauma.”
The channel’s news program was preparing extensive coverage of the rescue operation, while its news page is constantly updating with reports of the disaster, and notes that churches have opened their doors to affected people. Sad news came in from Hatay province, one of those most badly affected: Pastor Hakan and his wife Pola Konur of Iskenderun Bible Church were among those who lost their lives, although their son, Yoel, was rescued from the rubble.
A dedicated episode of the program Worldview also went live yesterday. The presenters discussed Psalm 13 to provide spiritual support for people who are currently experiencing negative feelings, such as anger.
As the channel team try to get to grips with what has happened, Executive Director Melih Ekener said they are seeking God’s help to know how best to respond:
“How are we going to help people who are buried under the rubble? How can we comfort those who have survived this disaster but are saddened because their loved ones are under the rubble? How can we give hope to people who live in the earthquake zone? We need your wisdom and your Spirit.”
SAT-7’s Arabic channel also covered the disaster in Tuesday’s live New Angle programme from the channel’s Cairo studio. SAT-7’s Lebanon studio will report on the situation and its effect on Syrian refugees in Friday’s current affairs show, You Are Not Alone.
The channel’s viewer support team received several touching prayer requests from viewers. One said, “I’d like to ask for prayer for people in Syria, who are sleeping outside their homes and in their cars. Pray that the Lord will give every soul far from our Lord peace and trust in His love and salvation.” Another asked, “Please pray that the Lord’s mercy shines on these people and that those who help are strengthened.”
SAT-7 International CEO Rita El-Mounayer comments: “We are all so devastated by the situation in Türkiye and Syria. People are suffering directly because of the earthquake, but fear, cold and confusion are playing a huge role in this tragedy as well. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the people there. We are weeping and mourning with them, lifting them up with our prayers. May God have mercy.”
Prayer Points
Would you please pause and pray for the following right now?
- For those enduring this awful tragedy, whether they have lost loved ones, are injured, or are traumatized by this event
- For a quick recovery in the area, that people’s homes and other buildings will be rebuilt better than they were before
