How easy it is for the tragic to become the normal. God has made us incredibly adaptable. We wake up and yawn at the majesty of creation all around us. That the sun shines becomes the norm, instead of the incredible life giving force of creation it is. Similarly, when East Africa is not the number one news story, it is easy to drift onto other things.
There are good reasons why this is so. If we were utterly lost in wonder when we saw anything, we might be incredibly blessed, but would struggle to get anything done.Yet, when we allow ourselves to take a crisis for granted, then this is a different story altogether.
When confronted by this very human problem, I think of God’s example. Jesus not only died on the cross, He lives in you and with you every day. Despite all the distractions of other people’s needs, He is intimately interested in every problem, hurdle and trauma you experience. He is the first to rejoice in your every success and the first to pick you up when you ask for help. In short, while you are alive and suffering, Jesus is there for you.
This picture presents a parallel to the crisis of East Africa. The media now use it for an occasional story, or a filler, so it is easy to forget its importance. Yet every day, millions of living, breathing human beings. Brothers and Sisters in Christ and others who have yet to find Him. Every day they face starvation, deprivation and death.
More than ever they desperately need your prayers. For God is waiting. As the world begins to forget them, will you?
Prayer
Lord, we do not forget the need of East Africa.
Thank you for all the aid workers helping people.
Thank you for the generosity you have put in people’s hearts around the world.
Thank you that there is hope in East Africa.
Thank you for all the souls that have been saved there.
Thank You, Lord, for all You are doing.
But we ask for more.
We ask for Your love and provision to be poured out over East Africa.
We pray that you protect the vulnerable who are assaulted
We pray that you feed the hungry and quench the thirst of those without water.
We pray you give strength to those crossing the desert to the camps, Lord
And we beg you to protect the children who are often the first to perish.
Let the solution in East Africa be for Your glory, O Lord.
We ask this in Jesus’ name
Amen
Bible Passage
Psalm 9: 15-20
15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
16 The LORD is known by his acts of justice;
the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.[c]
17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,
all the nations that forget God.
18 But God will never forget the needy;
the hope of the afflicted will never perish.
19 Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph;
let the nations be judged in your presence.
20 Strike them with terror, LORD;
let the nations know they are only mortal.