Last week’s PP’s focussed on personal issues, but I am not blind or deaf to a number of larger global issues which form some of the areas worth praying for this week.
Japan
I know people interested in trading in foreign exchanges and one of the economies that was struggling even before recent events was the Japanese yen. When I heard someone say that an earthquake had happened in the area my heart sank. My heart sank because for a place that is suffering probably more than most under the serious world economic circumstances to suffer such a devastation is heart-breaking.
Obviously it’s more than just an issue of finances. It’s about loss of lives, land and property destroyed. A bit like a tsunami that happened not so long ago it’s one of those events that can bring out the best in humanity but also understandably some soul searching questions about how a good God can allow such disasters to happen.
This is a time for the best of humanity to emerge again. From the physical support of those who can offer it in helping with relief and health, to redeveloping infrastructure and providing the means for survivors to come to terms with their situation and somehow find hope. The pressing prayer of my heart is for the country as a whole to find some healing. Healing that starts in the heart and stretches to the hands of the rich reaching to help the poor more than ever before. Remember Japan in your prayers.
Libya
Last month I was reading the gospel according to Matthew. There is at least one passage in it that refers to the kind of circumstances that will bring about the return of Jesus Christ. Recent events have borne out the talk of wars and rumours of wars that are said to be a pivotal sign of the end. Yet I don’t scream and head for the bunker in the impending expectation of the Messiah. Not to say His return isn’t soon, just to say that events like this hint that the end is near, but isn’t the ‘ker-ching’ that He will return now.
However, every large international event surrounding a ‘coalition’ of forces against a single foe always has me wondering. Whether it was in Iraq or Afghanistan or pick a South/Central American country, there’s just a sense of convenient justice fighting. I mean if Col. Gaddafi the first ‘tyrant’ to show no mercy to his people? Is Gaddafi the only tyrant to show no mercy to his mercy? Is Libya the only place in the world where there are people being shown no mercy? Is this just something that affects countries in the Middle East?
I am for justice, peace and freedom wherever it can be initiated. Is this the best way to do it? By a ‘coalition force’ taking military measures to oust the unwanted ‘tyrant’ and leave a vacuum in the hope for a ‘democratic’ alternative, as if democracy is the answer? Is that working anywhere that ‘tyrants’ have been deposed?
The reason for so many questions is that often certain news sources, certain political pronouncements are to influence opinion in a particular direction and I cannot help but be reminded of some of the prophets of the court back in the the Old Testament who almost seemed to give ‘God’s blessing’ on any conquest the ruling forces of the time chose to go on. Yet the non-mainstream prophets would often speak out against these as missing the point of God’s concern when it came to justice. There is no doubting that serious injustices and brutalities have taken place under the regime of Col. Gaddafi, but are these skirmishes missing the point of the heartbeat of the justice that God’s Kingdom demands? Bear this in mind as you remember Libya and the repercussions for international politics in your prayers.
The Poor
I started the Prayer-Points looking at the economic plight of the Japanese. I finish up with something that I mentioned earlier on today in terms of remembering the poor. I understand the heart behind the Make Poverty History campaign and commend the efforts of people to address the manner. Yet Jesus tells us that we’ll always have the poor, and looking at human nature works, has worked and looks destined to work until Jesus returns that sentiment looks more aspirational than anything. Poverty is not just a material issue, it is an issue of mind-set, community dynamics and justice. So regardless of the inevitability of poverty, there is a commission of the Kingdom to endeavour to serve and meet the needs of the poor both in the material and further in the social, community, emotional and spiritual.
It is a pleasure to serve the poor and to contribute to alleviating their suffering not just in providing food to eat or clothes to wear, but the underlying motive of love that drives that. Whether that is appreciated by recipients is not as much the issue as the understanding that it is appreciated by the King who says that in as much as we do that to the least of the brethren, we’re serving Jesus. It is also exciting to imagine that perhaps we are serving a brother or sister in Christ, yet to realise it but another step towards it as they again see the grace of God in action.
The particular prayer point is for the poor and for those who serve them – sometimes the inevitability can be overwhelming, but it is to not let that feeling overcome the fact that in well doing there will still be a reward for those who endure to the end. Remember these brave souls who continue to serve not just for special charity events, but as a lifestyle because of the love of the Lord. Hold them up in your prayers and look for your own way of contributing to that.
I recalled recently that I pray with my eyes closed so that I can see and prayer is a means to allow that to happen. It is a means to allow God to breakthrough to see things from His perspective even as I open my mouth. It can then adjust my own perspective to understand more of His Kingdom’s purposes lived out through my life and the lives of others I can influence in word and deed. Please never see prayer as a passive exercise. See it as actively engaging with the heart of God for your world and be prepared to again be the answer to prayer.
Have a great weekend.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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