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I was just toured Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal, when I entered the dark lobby of the hotel on April 28th. Soon someone told us that power is occurring in all of Portugal and Spain. I've never heard of the entire country, let alone the two countries, so I thought there must be a translation issue.
But that was true – there was no power anywhere in Portugal. I thought it would be best to go back to our hotel and find more information. We took the Uber and the drivers told us more about what was going on.
Tens of thousands of train passengers in Spain and Portugal were stuck and could not continue their journey as railway services stopped. Also, the outages knocked out telecommunications and some people were unable to access mobile phones, internet and online banking.
People walk along the street with big candles while out of power in Granada, Spain on April 28, 2025 (Fermin Rodriguez/Nurphoto via Getty Images)
As we drove, the traffic lights turned off and the gas pump wasn't working. Businesses were closed and card payments were not successful, so people joined the queue and earned cash. People were leaving their offices and walking home, as they didn't know when the bus would be coming. Lisbon Airport has been closed.
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Millions of people were unable to seek help or even communicate about their plight. The confusion was exacerbated by panic purchases as locals and tourists rushed to buy food, supplies and gas, leading to long lines and empty shelves. Many were worried about food, water, gas and cash in case the blackout lasted for several days.
It was quite confusing. If the phone wasn't working, no one had any information. Rumors were flying. It was a Russian, a cyber attack, and planes flew to the power plant. No one knew anything.
Our hotel had a generator so there was some power. When we went out to eat something, our menu was limited to salads or charcoal grilled meat and cheese message boards. I tried the ice cream and it was already melting. We were blessed with having something to eat, most restaurants were closed.
During the nationwide power outage on April 28th, the vehicle will drive through electric streets in Lisbon, Portugal. (AP/Armando Franca)
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Initial reports state that Spain should provide electricity within 10-12 hours, while Portugal could take up to a week. Fortunately, electricity was restored in both countries in 10-14 hours. By the next morning, more than 59 million people had almost returned to normal.
The whole experience made me reflect on the power of God. Ephesians 3:21 says, “His power in our work can do much more than we dare to ask or imagine.” God's power is real. Anyone can use it anytime. And it will not stop under God's power.
Too many times, we try to provide our own needs, rather than relying on God's power. We struggle, worry, and work. Everything is within our own power. We try to solve the problem without God's help.
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God wants us to rest with unlimited power, not limited strength. We have God's power, and when we seek God's power, we receive it. Many of the things we struggle with were able to be cared for by God. All we have to do is stop working and planning. And trust that God can do it.
Lisbon women in Portugal can be seen carrying candles of light as Spain, Portugal and other parts of Europe are struck by a widespread power blackout that lasted 10 hours on April 28, 2025.
There are times when God adjusts events and situations to do miraculous things. You may not know how the situation can be resolved. I don't think there's a way to make things better. I'm sure there's simply no solution.
And God does something unusual, unusual, unusual. He connects events in perfect ways, making it possible for the impossible to do. His power is at work in our lives.
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I've seen it many times. My stepfather was an alcoholic. His wife and seven children suffered from his harmful behavior. He cried out to God and asked for the strength to stop drinking. God gave him strength and for over 40 years he never had a drink again.
The woman had a tumor and sought God's healing power. We prayed and she returned to the church with two medical images. One shows a tumor, the other does not show a tumor. The doctor was unsure. Her surgery was cancelled. The power of God removed the tumor and she was completely healthy.
Passengers lined up at Madrid Airport during a major power outage on April 28th. (AP/Manu Fernandez)
Today, the same God's power is available to anyone who needs it. When we open ourselves to God, the spirit works in us with power and witnesses the incredible things that God does.
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God's power can open doors, destroy obstacles, and break bondage. We can provide miraculous help that can only be understood from God.
Ask God to do the strength you need. His power continues.
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