A Prayer for Haiti

February 04, 2010

May the reality of your spiritual Kingdom be revealed in this humanitarian crisis.
    Would you strengthen those whose lives have been irrevocably changed by this event; may they be drawn to you through this.
    Help us to see that our earthly lives are like the flower of the field that withers and to cling to your promises perfectly fulfilled and your Word that endures forever.

May your will be done, even now.
    We confess that your ways are not our ways, and that we cannot wrap our minds around this tragedy; we know that you are both all-powerful and all-loving.
    Would you silence the scoffers who call you either inept or callous by allowing such tragedy; may their false interpretation of this world be exposed.

Father, the daily needs of the Haitian people for food and water are great.
    Would you in your mercy make straight paths through the rubble; may the roads and infrastructure be restored to deliver the much-needed aid.
    Would you deliver the survivors from disease and sickness; heal and restore broken bodies and relationships.
    We pray especially for the orphans of Haiti – who were in great need before the earthquake, and for those who are now orphaned as a result of the devastation; would you reveal yourself to be the all-caring Father to these little ones.
    
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
We are often guilty of being too comfortable in your creation, forgetting our true need of you; forgive us of our spiritual apathy.
Our hearts often run after other lesser gods until such tragedies remind us that our time on earth is so short; forgive us of our idolatry and self-satisfaction.

Lead us not into temptation.
    For those who are desperate for food and water, that they will not take matters into their own hands.
    For those who stand at a distance, that we will not cease to pray for and do what we can to stand alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti.

Deliver us from the evil one.
    Deliver your people, in Haiti and around the world, from the schemes of Satan; silence his boastful roaring so that your Name may be exulted.
    We know that in your mercy and justice you allow such events to happen; may our hearts be humbled and kept from unrighteous anger or accusatory questioning.
    We long for the day when all evil, tragedy, sin and suffering are fully ended by Christ; Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
 (Rev 21:1-5 ESV)

- Rev. Greg Hobaugh, dean of students and ministerial formation