Prayer Needed for Teen Sailor

Emergency crews in the Indian Ocean are racing to reach a Southern California teenager in distress.  Abby Sunderland, a 16 year old sailor from Thousand Oaks, lost contact with her parents and activated her emergency beacon after being battered by 60 knot winds.  Her parents and friends are asking for prayer.



Looking to follow in her brother's footsteps and complete a solo circumnavigation of the globe, Abby encountered heavy seas and storms in the Indian Ocean.  While phoning home after reporting the 50 - 60 ft. seas, her call was suddenly lost.  An hour later, Australian officials phoned the family to inform them that their daughter's emergency beacons have been activated.

Zac Sunderland, Abby's older brother, graduated high school earlier this week and shared the story of his adventure.  No stranger to the risks of the open ocean, Zac survived pirates, storms, a complete loss of communication, and isolation to complete his journey. 

Rescue efforts are being coordinated by the Australian Coast Guard and French-controlled Reunion Islands.  With her emergency raft and survival suit, Abby will be well prepared wait out the high seas until rescue crews arrive.

Psalm 121 (NIV)

A song of ascents.

 ¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from?  ² My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.
 ³ He will not let your foot slip—
       he who watches over you will not slumber;
 ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.
 ⁵ The LORD watches over you—
       the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
 ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
       nor the moon by night.
 ⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
       he will watch over your life;
 ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

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