Tearfund is urging churches in the UK to pray for those suffering in the wake of the devastating earthquake which hit southern Iran on Friday 26 December, killing an estimated 30,000 people.
The quake hit the ancient city of Bam at 05.28 local time and measured 6.3 on the Richter scale.
Almost 90% of the city's buildings have been destroyed, including hospitals, health centres and schools. Survivors have been sleeping in tents close to the rubble of their homes in increasingly cold conditions.
Food distributions have begun but immediate needs are still critical - blankets, shelter, food, water and medicine for an estimated 40,000 people who are now left homeless in increasingly cold conditions.
Many of those who died were victims of poor building methods. A similar sized earthquake hit the quake-prone US state of California on 23rd December, killing just three people.
An experienced aid worker with Tearfund has been seconded to an assessment team with partner agency Medair, and is currently in Bam identifying the needs of the survivors.
Ian Wallace, Tearfund's International Operations Director, urged churches throughout the UK to pray for the survivors of the earthquake as they grieve for lost family members and start the long process of rebuilding their community.
He also called for prayer for the Iranian Church which is seeking to respond to those who are bereaved and in need of support.
This is Iran's worst earthquake since 1990 when 40,000 lives were lost in the northern province of Gilan. Earthquakes are common in Iran, a country which lies on major faultlines.