18th January, 2010

MATT PRATER

Queensland is currently experiencing difficult and life transforming times. It is with extreme sadness and grief to hear that lives have been lost and as the stories unfold it is our heartfelt yearning and responsibility to reach out and help the people of Queensland as much as we can.

New Hope Brisbane has transformed our building into a flood appeal drop-off centre. We have had scores of churched and unchurched volunteers doing shifts while the crisis unfolds. As the waters recede there will be other
ways we all can be used to assist individuals and families to get their lives back to normal.

How can you help right now?

Pray. Please pray for all our leaders, emergency services personnel and all those affected by these circumstances. Pray for wisdom, strength, safety, protection, comfort and provision.

Volunteer. If you can assist in anyway follow QPSmedia on Facebook and Twitter for updates or look up the Queensland Police Service website. There is also a website www.volunteeringqld.org.au that can advise when and where assistance is required. (Social media has played a massive part in co-ordinating this relief effort.)

Give generously. These are times that people need financial assistance if there is a way for you to give please donate to the Premiers Flood Appeal - www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html.

Sunday past was a national day of prayer and more than $30 million was collected from churches all over Australia. The faithful joined together to seek God's face and ask for healing for our land. Churches were also
collecting packaged food for emergency parcels. Thanks to those of you that are giving and serving wherever you can right now.

See Matt Prater's Twitter account for more updates and information on what's been happening, http://twitter.com/#!/MattPrater. Matt Prater is the pastor of New Hope Brisbane, and host of History Makers radio show.