Prayer for the World

SCRIPTURE: Romans 8: 39

TOPIC: Extreme Weather & the Caribbean

Many islands across the Caribbean have had to grapple with extreme weather conditions, and families have had to deal with personal loss. It has been reported that the island Barbuda was left uninhabitable, deserted, and empty for the first time in 300 years in 2017. What loss! What pain! What devastation! When we look at the crises that natural disasters around the world continue to create, we ask, is God truly with us in times of crisis?

Where was God when the disaster struck? Yet, in Romans 8: 39 God promises, "Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." What this says to me, is that when we go through pain, better believe it, God is in that pain. God feels everything we feel--is happy when we are happy and sad when we are sad. God is not a God who controls us, and if we take time to reflect, God is not the source of our miseries. Usually, and most likely, it is in our time of misery that we tend to call out to God; when we seek solace in God.

Yet we blame God for such disasters that devastate and destroy, such as hurricanes and floods which have left in their wake untold destruction in many parts of the world. Instead let us take a stance of doing our part to protect our ecology, to be responsible individuals who are cognisant of the environment, animals, flora and fauna.

When we see devastation, let us help our brothers and sisters in despair. Sharing each other's pain is our first responsibility, and it draws us closer to God. It means recognising the value of life and our duty of care in that very moment. Our sadness should not weaken our faith, let us use our voices and our action to uplift su ering people, and let us pray for greater wisdom in the conduct of our a airs.

PRAYER

Almighty God, we come before you with many questions even as we ask that you shield us under the cover of your wings. Grant within us the courage to persevere, help us to recognise our duty of care. Bring peace to those who’ve encountered loss. Cleanse our hearts and refocus our minds to be compassionate enablers of your ultimate will to build up your kingdom in love and mutual care. Amen

Pearce Johnson Ecumenical Partner

Source: CWM Daily Devotions (10 April 2018)