The names of thousands of families fill up adoption waiting lists, while millions of children wait for families.
An earthquake shatters an already poverty-stricken country. Killing thousands. Taking away material possessions from those who had so little to begin with.
What can we do?
We can adopt. We can give. We can raise awareness.
AND, we can pray.
Sometimes, prayer feels like a cop out to me. A way to act like I'm doing something, so I don't have to do something more. I know that is not true, but sometimes it feels like that.
This week I was reminded of the importance of prayer. A friend shared the following story:
As a girl, her family had the opportunity to adopt two girls through the foster system. They invited the girls into their family for a weekend, but in the end did not feel called to adopt. Others questioned the decision. They second-guessed themselves and felt guilty. And they prayed for the girls.
Well over 10 years later, my friend happened to be at a dinner where one of the two girls they had almost adopted shared her story. The girl paid tribute to the residential care facility where she and her sister had received some much needed help. She also paid tribute to the couple who eventually took them into their home and invested in their lives.
I like to think part of their success story is because of the prayers of my friend and her family. Maybe God wanted my friend to pray so she could share in the story of those girls, a chance for her to participate in God's work. I don't know. I don't understand prayer, but God's word says it is important. So I need to pray and trust that God will use that offering to change the world.
That doesn't excuse me from doing more, but it should be what I do before... and during... and after.
With that said, I want to encourage you to continue to pray for those in Haiti. I want to encourage you to continue to pray for the millions of orphans who are waiting for a family (if you google "waiting children" you can find thousands of individual children to pray for by name!).
And if you want to do more while you pray for those affected by the Haiti earthquake, consider donating to Compassion International.
The needs are overwhelming. But we can make a difference.
5 comments:
I underestimate the power of prayer, too. I was reminded last night that while it may feel like we aren't doing anything when we pray it is helping those that need it. A blog that I ran across of a family who's been living in Haiti the past three years said that they could FEEL the prayers being said on their behalf - and it's helping to keep them going. Just what I needed to hear! And maybe during those prayers God will reach out and show me more specifically how I can help:)
Thanks for that comment and story Becky, in my humaness it helps to be reminded that prayers do make a difference.
Amen and amen!!
You are right, prayer is something we can all do. I am participating too: http://pugetsoundprudence.blogspot.com/2010/01/giving-back-challenge.html
We would love for you and your readers to link up or comment at Savings and Stewardship where we're donating $1 to World Vision for each entry!
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