The numbers are overwhelming as I try to comprehend the suffering and incredible loss of life in Haiti: first reports were 30,000, then 75,000 and now it appears close to 200,000 people have died as a result of the earthquake.
The lives of over nine million Haitian citizens were changed forever at 4:53 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2010, when along with the destruction of buildings, walls and beams, the future, dreams, and personal relationships of so many people were destroyed or changed dramatically. The suffering and pain is so great, I wonder why it happened and how to respond. Yet I am changed by Jesus’ response as His disciples asked the same questions.
Jesus’ disciples encountered great suffering in the life of a man and his family (John 9) and they asked whose sin was responsible. They wanted to know if he or his parents had committed evil to deserve such loss. Like the disciples, my mind tends to immediately assess fault and blame; I pursue answers to the questions of why and how through ever-present human logic and judgment. Jesus changed everything, leading the disciples to blend the divine and earthly. Then Jesus touched the man with healing and the kind of personal transformation that glorifies God.
Prayer Focus: Pray that we as a Foursquare family will follow Jesus’ lead in responding to this catastrophe, reaching out with healing and transformation. Join me as we pray that:
- We will spend less time in blame and condemnation, allowing Him to guide us from our judgment to His grace and healing. Pray for all those (including Foursquare leaders, members, doctors and missionaries) already ministering and serving in Haiti.
- As it was when Jesus touched the man in John 9, healing and wholeness will flood into the nation of Haiti through the beautiful mix of earthen vessels. Pray for His divine touch as people and resources (including Foursquare) arrive from around the world.
- Every individual involved, whether serving, helping or receiving would fully welcome the glory of the living and loving God. Pray that He would bring peace, strength and wholeness to the nation of Haiti just as He did for the man in John 9.
We are invited to respond with great family generosity, prayer and involvement, not only this week but in the coming weeks and months. Let us not spend time asking, “who sinned,” but let us spend our time answering the question, “Who will heal?”
==
By: Jonathan Hall, director of Foursquare Missions International
