Praying for Haiti

Sometimes we are forced into prayer. In those times when we feel helpless, when there aren't any immediate actions we can take, we are forced into prayer, simply because we can't do anything else.

The crisis in Haiti is so beyond our reach.

We text our donations to the Red Cross or send our money to Presbyterian Disaster assistance or other agencies, but it seems like a drop in the bucket.

We can't get in our cars or vans and drive to Haiti like so many did after 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina so that we can help.

We can't even begin to gather clothing and blankets and other supplies because there is not way to get them to the people who need them right now.

We are simply forced into prayer because we cannot think of anything else to do for the people of Haiti today. So often we act first and pray later. Perhaps Haiti will be our opportunity to reverse that order in future situations.

But while we pray, we can acknowledge that the disaster in Haiti is a disaster of such incredible proportions because of the extreme poverty that exists there. And poverty is something we can take action against every day in our own towns and communities. It exists in our own backyards.

Super Bowl Sunday is coming up. It's a great time to collect cans of soup (for Souper Bowl Sunday) and donate them to a local food pantry. All of them are running low on supplies these days

Go ahead and collect those clothes and blankets and get them to your local shelter or half-way house.

Think about how we all might spend less and share more.

Perhaps we can "pray globally" and act locally. And through that combination begin to carve our a more peaceful and just world.


We pray for Haiti

God of compassion
please watch over the people of Haiti,
and weave out of these terrible happenings
wonders of goodness and grace.
Surround those who have been affected by tragedy
with a sense of your present love,
and hold them in faith.
Though they are lost in grief,
may they find you and be comforted.
Guide us as a church
to find ways of providing assistance
that heal wounds and provide hope.
Help us to remember that when one of your children suffers
we all suffer;
through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives
and rules this world with you. Amen.

— Bruce Reyes-Chow, Gradye Parsons and Linda Valentin