Praying for Haiti

I think it’s fair to say we are all stunned by the devastation in Haiti. The most impoverished country in our hemisphere – why Lord?

Sometimes it’s hard to make sense of the suffering in our world. On a smaller, more individual way, I’ve been more able to come to terms with it, having developed a new response to that classic question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” “Because,” I’ve come to say, “bad things spur us on to become the people God created us to be in His image.”

As much as this idea usually makes me feel better, it’s not working for Haiti. Don’t they have enough suffering already?

I have no answers, but my heart is praying hard. Do Your Miracles, Oh Lord! Set Your people in Haiti free! In all ways of this phrase, please set them free. Pour down miraculous relief and show Your face of mercy! Give your Haitian people unimaginable courage and strength to persevere in this crisis. Open up the run-ways, the highways, and the oceans with winds headed strong in the direction of Haiti. Blow in Your aid and pour down Your Spirit! Do a mighty work in Haiti, oh Lord. Baptize this country with Your Living Water. May this country transcend its challenges and rise into a new people who live out their creation in Your image. At this moment, Lord, we are stunned by the suffering. We now pray that You will blow us away with Your miraculous provision to a people crying out to be rescued.

We also pray specifically for the orphans in the process of adoption. We pray for a safe and rapid release to bypass the usual bureaucracy and come to their new homes now. Bring Your peace to their parents who are anxiously waiting the safe arrival of their children. Thank you, Father. Amen.

One of these orphans, Alex, is waiting to join his parents, our friends, Scott & Abby Hoefer. I’ve posted their picture to the right and you can see their blog at http://abbyhoefer.blogspot.com/. Please join my prayers for them. Thank you, all.